Kerbl ColostroStart

Colostrum Management For a successful start in life The foundations of a calf’s, and later a cow’s, development are laid right after birth. The feeding of calves during the first days of life or even immediately after birth is crucial for their further development. The calf is born without immune protection and is defenceless against germs and diseases. Antibodies are only absorbed through milk intake. A cow’s first milk, also known as colostrum, has a higher percentage of immunoglobulins and nutrients compared to normal cow’s milk. A calf should be given its first colostrum feed within the first few hours after birth. The permeability of the intestinal wall, through which the immunoglobulins enter the bloodstream, is at its highest right after birth. Its absorption capacity then rapidly declines from hour to hour. This is why a newborn calf must receive high-quality colostrum in large quantities immediately after birth, so that it can build up an effective immune system. The recommendation is to feed approx. 10 % of the newborn calf’s body weight in the first 3 hours. In addition, the effects of the first colostrum feed on health and development are not just short term. Scientific studies show that calves fed in this ideal manner can achieve higher performance later and are overall more healthy and longer-lived. The supply of high quality colostrum in sufficient quantities lays the foundations for a high-performance life. This is why it is recommended that a colostrum store be created with frozen colostrum. This means that there is always a stock of colostrum available. If the quality of the colostrum after birth is poor or the amount produced is too low, frozen colostrum can be used instead.