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Spring is a busy time for producers, balancing fieldwork and calving season. Unfortunately, some tasks may slip through the cracks, including ensuring calves receive adequate colostrum. An estimated 11-31% of calves fail to receive enough colostrum at birth, which can significantly impact calf health, performance, and profitability. Providing colostrum early and in sufficient quantities helps calves thrive, making it a critical part of newborn calf care.
Colostrum plays a vital role in calf immunity, because the cow’s placenta prevents the transfer of immunoglobulins, proteins that act as antibodies, from the dam to the fetus. Without these antibodies, calves are highly vulnerable to disease, which can lead to higher mortality rates, lower weaning weights, and slower average daily gains. Colostrum, or the first milk produced by the cow, contains immunoglobulins (primarily IgG), white blood cells, energy, protein, and essential vitamins A and E—all necessary for calf immunity, nutrition, and vigor.
Studies suggest calves need at least 150 g of IgG at birth, with recent research recommending 200-300 g for optimal protection. The quality of colostrum depends on several factors, including the dam’s nutrition, body condition score (BCS), and age. Older cows generally produce both higher quality and greater quantities of colostrum than heifers. Research shows cows with a BCS of 5-6 produce better colostrum, while thinner cows produce less, putting their calves at greater risk. Timing is critical for colostrum absorption. Calves absorb the highest levels of IgG in the first four hours of life, with absorption decreasing significantly after 12 hours and gut closure occurring by 24 hours. Difficult births can cause metabolic acidosis, further limiting IgG absorption. Assisted births should prompt producers to milk the cow and offer colostrum to the calf through bottle feeding or tubing—both methods are effective.
The best source of colostrum is the calf s own mother, followed by donor cows from the same herd. Going outside of your own herd for colostrum sources can open the door to disease risk, and as such is discouraged. Colostrum can be stored in quart bags in the freezer for up to one year but should always be thawed in a water bath below 140°F to preserve IgG quality. Avoid microwaving, as it can denature antibodies. If herd colostrum is unavailable, colostrum replacers are an option. Choose products containing at least 150 g of IgG, protein, and fat to meet nutritional needs. Colostrum supplements differ from true replacers and do not provide enough lgG. They should only be used to supplement calves that have already received some colostrum from the dam.
While ensuring proper colostrum intake takes extra time during a busy season, the benefits are well worth the effort. Taking the time to provide adequate colostrum gives calves the best chance at a healthy start, supporting their immunity, growth, and long-term performance.
-Ben Beckman is a beef systems Extension Educator serving northeast Nebraska. He is based out of the Cedar County Extension office in Hartington. You can reach him by phone: (402) 234-6821 or email: [email protected] mailto:[email protected]
