Investing in best practice colostrum management delivers better calf health and performance

Bovine colostrum (often called gold colostrum) is a yellow and viscous secretion produced in the udder of cows immediately after calving. Colostrum is an essential first feed for the calf and is rich in nutrients and non-nutritive biologically active substances, such as immunoglobulins (defence molecules), hormones, and growth factors. Beyond the importance of colostral immunoglobulins for calves to acquire immune molecules from their mothers, colostrum has broad importance for the health, performance and development of calves. After the first milking, the concentrations of nutrients, defence molecules and growth promoters decline rapidly. The concentration and type of defence molecules in colostrum can vary between cows because of their genetics, parity, stress, vaccination and nutritional status. Therefore, it is recommended to pool colostrum (first milking after calving) from different cows before feeding to calves. A refractometer (available from veterinary supply stores) is an easy way to measure colostrum quality on the farm. A Brix value > 22% is considered high-quality colostrum for giving to calves in the first 24 hours after calving.