Boostering Cows to Boost Colostrum

Making sure calves get enough good quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth is one of the most vital steps to ensure that calves have the best start in life. Colostrum is the first building block in developing a strong immune system to fight off infectious disease challenges they may face within the first few months of life. Timing is critical as not only does the calf absorb colostrum better earlier but the quality produced by the cow declines by the minute. Reducing time to suckling or first milking is critical. Getting the right quantity of colostrum into a calf is fairly straight forward but how do we ensure good quality colostrum? The first consideration is the nutritional status of the dam. A dam receiving inadequate nutrition with poor body condition will produce poor colostrum. Get nutrition right first!