QUALIDADE DO COLOSTRO E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE TERNEIROS DA RAÇA JERSEY

The quality of colostrum is important for the immunity of the newborn. The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of colostrum quality on the development and occurrence of diarrhea of Jersey calves in the lactation period. The work was carried out with nine cows and calves of Jersey breed. The colostrum of the cows was analyzed with colostrômetro and classified according to the quality in two groups: High and Moderate. The calves were followed during the breastfeeding period (average of 70 days of life). The weight was estimated weekly using weighing tape. The mean daily gain was calculated. An analysis of the variance was made considering the development of calves that received colostrum of high quality versus moderate quality. There was no significant difference (P=0.1117) between the developmental groups. The calves that received high quality colostrum showed less occurrence of diarrhea. Further studies should be conducted with a larger number of animals.