ImmunIGy: A Novel Pen-side Test for Checking Calf Immune Status, to increase the efficiency of beef production through supply chain feedback and improved management

初生牛犊血清IgG浓度是母性初乳抗体被动转移水平的直接标志。有大量证据表明，成功的被动转移与降低发病率和死亡率、提高生长速度、饲料转化率和终身生产能力有关，无论小牛是注定要产奶还是进入牛肉供应链。因此，成功的被动转移是奶牛养殖场和肉牛养殖场经济和环境效率的关键驱动因素。免疫是一种围栏侧诊断测试，用于测量小牛的IgG。它是新颖的，有两个原因：首先，它是一个横向流动测试，可以由农民进行，栏边，其次，样品可以由农民使用刺胳针在小牛鼻子的不敏感部分获得。因此，在几分钟的时间内就可以便宜地得到结果。该项目的目标是；(a)确认免疫测试的输出与目前测量IgG的金标准相关联，这将确认其在未满一周的犊牛中使用的价值。(b)确定在奶牛群的肉牛采集中心测量IgG是否可以单独用于预测未来的表现，也可以用于改进已有的小牛算法的功能。这种测试可以通过直接反馈给提供母畜免疫力不足的小牛的农场、价格差异以及根据小牛的表现预测对其进行定制管理来提高牛肉生产效率。(c)将算法整合到一个应用程序中，该应用程序将允许小牛饲养者在小牛进入时对其进行测试，输入数据以预测小牛的表现，并实施不同的管理措施，例如在实施抗生素治疗之前将不同的群体或不同的疾病流行阈值分开。(d)培训参与的农民使用测试、应用程序和他们需要提供的数据，同时接收关于其可用性的反馈。

Serum concentration of IgG in neonatal calves is a direct marker of the level of passive transfer of maternal antibody from colostrum. There is substantial evidence that successful passive transfer is associated with decreased morbidity and mortality rates, improved growth rates, feed conversion and lifetime productive capacity, whether the calf is destined to produce milk or enter the beef supply chain. As such, successful passive transfer is a key driver of economic and environmental efficiency on both dairy and beef farms rearing calves sourced from dairy units.ImmunIGy is a pen-side diagnostic test for measuring IgG in calves. It is novel for 2 reasons: firstly it is a Lateral Flow Test which can be carried out by the farmer, pen-side, and secondly the sample can be obtained by the farmer using a lancet on an insensitive part of the calf's nose. Hence the result can be obtained cheaply in the space of a few minutes.The project aims are to ;(a) Confirm that the output of the ImmunIGy test correlates with the current gold standard for measuring IgG, which will confirm its value for use in calves less than a week of age. (b) Determine if the measurement of IgG at collection centres for beef calves from the dairy herd can be used to predict future performance, both alone and when used to improve the function of a pre-existing Calf Algorithm. Such testing can drive improved efficiency of beef production via direct feedback to farms supplying calves with insufficient maternal immunity, pricing differentials and via bespoke management of calves according to their performance prediction. (c) Incorporate the algorithm into an App which will allow calf rearers to test calves on entry, enter the data to predict calf performance and put in place differential management practices, such as separate groups or a different threshold of disease prevalence before implementing antibiotic therapy. (d) Train the participating farmers in the use of the test, the App and the data that they need to provide whilst receiving feedback on its usability.