IS A COLOSTRUM REPLACER FEEDING PROGRAM EFFECTIVE FOR PREVENTING PERINATAL BOVINE LEUKOSIS VIRUS TRANSMISSION IN HOLSTEIN CALVES

Bovine leukosis virus (BLV) is a type C retrovirus that causes enzootic Leukosis in cattle. Due to its high national prevalence, BLV continues to be responsible for huge economic losses to the dairy industry estimated to exceed $525M per year. BLV can be transmitted to calve via colostrum and colostrum associated BLV can be prevented by feeding commercially available colostrum replacement products. In this field study, the effect of feeding CR for preventing BLV transmission in calves will be undertaken using a randomized intervention trial framework. Evidence generated from this field study will assist the bovine practitioner and/or the dairy farmer in the decision-making process when recommending or utilizing CR products as a biosecurity management tool for preventing colostrum-related BLV transmission.