Colostrum: A Good Start to Life

By Barry Whitworth

During the final weeks of pregnancy, cows begin to develop the first milk. This first milk that the calf will ingest is called colostrum. Colostrum is high in fat and protein which provides the calf a good start in life.

It is full of vitamins and minerals that are essential for certain bodily functions. Possibly the most important part of colostrum is the presence of immunoglobulins. The dam passes immunity to the calf through immunoglobulins. This protects the newborn from pathogens until his or her immune system matures.

When comparing, calves that fail to get adequate amounts of immunoglobulins are more likely to become ill or die before weaning than calves that received adequate amounts of immunoglobulins. Without the protection that colostrum provides, even the calves that survive will perform poorly when compared to the rest of the herd.

Since colostrum is vital to healthy start in life, what can a producer do to ensure that the calf gets all the protection possible?

First, the producer needs to make sure that the dam is in good body condition at calving. Cows that are in poor condition at calving time not only produce poor quality colostrum but a smaller amount as well. A calf must ingest large quantities of colostrum that is full of nutrients and immunoglobulins to be fully protected. A good nutrition program that provides all the nutrient requirements for the cow is essential.

Secondly, cows need to be in good health and properly vaccinated. Cows that are battling infections not only will have a hard time producing high-quality colostrum but will have a hard time producing a sufficient quantity. Waiting to see if a sick cow will improve on her own over time is stressful on the cow and usually results in an illness that is more difficult to treat. Any illness with a cow should be dealt with in a timely fashion, especially when the cow is in late pregnancy.

Cows not only need to be in good health to produce quality colostrum, but they should also be properly vaccinated. Cows that are on a routine vaccination schedule are more likely to provide colostrum with high immunoglobulins. Specific vaccines that target the common bacteria and viruses responsible for certain diseases that newborns get are available. Since diarrhea is one of the more common problems that newborns get, it is very beneficial to protect against the causes of this illness. Producers should consult with their veterinarian for advice on a good vaccination program.

Thirdly, absorption of colostrum is time dependent. Colostrum is highly absorbed following birth and declines rapidly over the next 24 to 36 hours. The best time for absorption is in the first six hours following birth, and calves should receive a minimum of two quarts of colostrum during this time. Calves should receive two more quarts by 12 hours following birth. These are minimal amounts and some calves will require more.

Any condition that interferes with the calf nursing needs to be dealt with promptly. Interferences such as calving difficulties, a cow refusing her calf or adverse weather conditions may result in a calf not ingesting adequate amounts of colostrum.

Calving difficulties usually result in a stressed calf, and they may be weaker and not aggressive enough to nurse properly. For this reason, producers may want to intervene early. This will require milking the cow or finding another source of colostrum. A local dairy may be a good source of colostrum. Colostrum substitutes or replacers are available at retail stores, but they do not compare in quality to the mother’s colostrum and should only be used as a last resort.

Weather can also prevent calves from receiving adequate colostrum. Calves left out in the extreme conditions tend to stay down and not get up to nurse. If freezing or harsh weather conditions occur, some type of protection should be provided for the calf. Providing a temporary shelter or moving the calf to a barn is recommended.

The importance of a calf getting adequate amounts of high-quality colostrum cannot be overstated. Without colostrum most calves will die or will become ill, and those that do survive will most likely always be poor doers.

Producers need to ensure that their calves receive adequate amounts of high-quality colostrum to give the best possible start in life. If you have more questions about colostrum or its importance, please visit with your local veterinarian or your local county extension educator.

This article was originally published in the February 2016 issue of Oklahoma Farm & Ranch.