The importance of colostrum for calf survival Studies have proven that absorbing high-quality colostrum in the proper amounts is an essential factor in a newborn calf's survival. Without colostrum, calf death rates increase. This class briefly answers both questions.
Colostrum is the first bacteria-free milk from a mammary gland after a normal dry period.
Good colostrum comes from a dam that was not leaking milk during the dry period, has clean teats, and has no mastitis. Colostrum is very important for the calf because it contains high levels of protein, vitamins, fat, and large quantities of antibodies or immunoglobulins. The need of calves to get their antibodies from colostrum is different from how humans get their protection from disease. While still in the womb, a human fetus receives antibodies directly from the mother's bloodstream. Calves are born with little protection because cloven-footed animals have a type of placenta through which antibodies can't pass.