This article was originally published on Progressive Dairymen on March 3, 2025.
Sarah Dean, M.Sc.
Ruminant Technical Specialist, Jefo Nutrition Inc.
Gerald Mechor, DVM, MVSc
Ruminant Technical Service Consultant, Jefo Nutrition Inc.
Victoria Asselstine, Ph.D.
Ruminant Technical Service Consultant, Jefo Nutrition Inc.
Why should colostrum quality be your top priority?
The first 24 hours of a calf’s life are critical for its survival, immunity, and future productivity. Colostrum serves as more than just the first feed; it is the cornerstone of the calf’s health and development. This nutrient-rich secretion is a complex combination of immunoglobulins, leukocytes, growth factors, hormones, nonspecific antimicrobial agents, and essential nutrients that provide the foundation for a calf’s immune system and growth.
Unlike some other species, the cow’s placenta has multiple layers that block the transfer of maternal immunoglobulins to the calf during gestation. As a result, calves are born immunologically naïve, making colostrum essential for providing the antibodies they need to build immunity and fight off infections.
Despite its vital role, studies reveal that over 60% of colostrum fails to meet industry standards for immunoglobulin content (>50 g IgG/L) and bacterial cleanliness (<100,000 CFU/mL). Poor-quality colostrum can have cascading effects on calf health, leading to weaker immunity, reduced weight gains, and a higher incidence of disease. These outcomes not only affect the wellbeing of the calves but also reduce profitability for dairy producers.
Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, combining quality control, nutritional strategies, and management practices to ensure calves receive the best possible start in life.
What are the Four Pillars of Colostrum Management
Optimal colostrum management depends on (Figure 1):
1. Quality: High immunoglobulin (IgG) concentration and low bacterial contamination.
2. Quantity: At least 4 liters (or 10% of body weight) delivered within the first 6 hours of life.
3. Quickness: Early feeding is essential, as IgG absorption efficiency drops rapidly after birth.
4. Cleanliness: Proper hygiene in collection, storage, and administration to prevent contamination.
Figure 1. The four pillars of colostrum, Quantity, Quality, Quickness, and Cleanliness. It is also always important to be prepared with frozen colostrum or colostrum replacer for emergencies.
While management practices are vital, colostrum production begins well before calving. Nutritional and environmental factors during the dry and transition periods can dramatically influence colostrum yield and quality.
What is Colostrum Production
Colostrogenesis begins 3 to 4 weeks prepartum, driven by metabolic and hormonal adaptations in the dam. These adaptations enable nutrient partitioning to support fetal growth, milk production, and colostrum synthesis. Failure to adapt to the increased nutrient demands of fetal growth and milk production can lead to metabolic stress.
One way to assist in the metabolic adaptations is to increase availability of antioxidants during late gestation to support production of higher volumes of colostrum. Antioxidants are molecules that protect the body from damage caused by unstable molecules that can harm cells through a process called oxidation. Enhanced antioxidant status during late gestation has been linked to higher colostrum yield and improved calf immunity.
How Nutritional Strategies Target Optimal Performance
- How Do B Vitamins Support Metabolism and Fight Oxidative Stress
B vitamins are important for not only calf health, but dam health and colostrum production. B vitamins serve as coenzymes that are vital for the metabolism of carbohydrates, amino acids, and lipids. Additionally, B vitamins ensure that antioxidant systems function effectively and protect the body from cellular damage. Specific B vitamins such as Riboflavin (B2), Pyridoxine (B6) and Folic Acid (B9) contribute to the efficiency of metabolic processes (Figure 2). If the dam has received adequate nutrition with appropriate intake during her dry period, B vitamins can move across the placenta to the calf, and the colostrum should have significant levels of B-vitamins. If this is the case, blood levels of most B-vitamins are elevated in the first few days after birth. Alternatively, if the dam’s prepartum nutrition was lacking key nutrients including B-vitamins, this will reflect poorly on the colostrum and in turn calf health.
Figure 2: Specific B vitamins and their functions in calves and dams.
- How does choline enhance colostrum and lactation performance
Choline is a key methyl donor that plays a critical role in lipid metabolism, reducing fat accumulation in the liver and promoting energy efficiency. Choline supplementation has been shown to provide multiple benefits for pregnant dams and their offspring. Research has shown the following benefits:
Benefits for the dam
- Increased colostrum production
- Improved milk yield in subsequent lactation
- Reduced oxidative stress markers
Benefits for the calf:
- Stronger immunity, greater body weight gains, and improved feed efficiency
With choline supplementation, it is critical to ensure that it will be available for the cow in the small intestine due to differences in gastrointestinal degradation, intestinal release and bioavailability of choline.
- Why are Vitamins A, D, E essential for immunity
There are also other vitamins that should be supplemented to calves to ensure their health and successful start to life. Along with being deficient in immunoglobulins, calves are born deficient in vitamins A and E and are dependent on the colostrum and milk to supply these nutrients. It is also common that calves are born with a vitamin D insufficiency, so supplementation is necessary.
Vitamin A: Supports epithelial tissue integrity, immune function, and growth. Calves deficient in vitamin A face a 2.8x higher mortality risk. Supplementing dams during the dry period ensures adequate colostral transfer.
Vitamin D: Essential for calcium metabolism and immune modulation. Although its role in colostrum quality is under-researched, correcting vitamin D insufficiency in calves (common at birth) is crucial for early growth.
Vitamin E: A powerful antioxidant that supports immune health and reduces inflammation. Calves rely entirely on colostrum and milk for vitamin E intake, making dam supplementation critical.
The big picture: How does calf health impact herd success
Colostrum is the cornerstone of calf health, providing critical immunity and nutrients that set the stage for long-term performance. Incorporating scientifically backed nutritional strategies—such as antioxidants, B vitamins, choline, and fat-soluble vitamins—into transition cow diets ensures that calves receive the immunity and nutrients they need to thrive.
By investing in colostrum quality today, this ensures a healthier, more profitable future for dairy operations.
Contact your local Jefo representative to learn more about our solutions for transition cows can unlock the full potential of colostrum for your herd.
References available upon request
