What is it?
Colostrum is the first milk provided by the dam (mother cow). It contains special antibodies which help the calves develop a strong immune system, along with proteins and fats to provide the calves with energy and nutrients.
Unlike other mammals, calves do not receive antibodies from the cow’s placenta during pregnancy, and therefore newborn calves have no immunity.
The sooner newborn calves receive colostrum, the better. Antibody absorption within the gut is the highest within the first 6 hours, has reduced by half by hour 12, and antibodies will no longer be effectively absorbed after 24 hours [1].
Calves should receive two litres of colostrum within the first 2 hours, and another two litres in the next 12 hours. Ensuring adequate colostrum intake after birth is an important way for producers to set a calf up for a healthy life.
How to handle colostrum so newborn calves thrive. Video produced by the Beef Cattle Research Council.
Challenges
- Antibodies absorption decreases after birth. To get the best results, calves must ingest the colostrum within the first several hours after birth [1].
- Calves should only be fed colostrum from their herd [1]. Colostrum should not be used from other farms as it may contribute to disease transmission.
- To thaw frozen colostrum, use gentle methods such as warm water rather than microwaving to prevent destroying the antibodies that are present [1].
How Does it Prevent AMR?
Colostrum helps calves develop an immune system. By being better equipped to fight infections on their own, calves will require less outside intervention, such as antimicrobial administration. Using fewer antimicrobials reduces the opportunity for AMR to develop.
This should contain a minimum of 100g of antibodies and can be used when no colostrum is available.
This does not provide enough antibodies on its own but can provide a boost to calves who may not have received enough.
Further Reading
Research Gaps
Product/Service Gaps
References
[1] Beef Cattle Research Council, ‘How to Manage Colostrum and Help Newborn Calves Thrive’, Beef Research, Jan. 19, 2022. https://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/calf-911-colostrum-video/ (accessed Aug. 18, 2022).
