Keeping it high quality - colostrum for calves

As calving seasons rolls around soon, there is much to do and plan - including the storage and use of colostrum on your farm.

Farmers in New Zealand are great at getting colostrum into calves promptly following birth, a vital component to the successful growth and health for a newborn calf.

Mike Shallcrass, Senior Veterinary Manager, says colostrum is produced by cows in the first milking following the delivery of a calf.

"The colostrum is used to prepare the calf's immune system to protect them from disease within that first few weeks of life... Having enough good quality colostrum and ensuring you feed enough creates that successful transfer of immunity,"
- Michael Shallcrass, Senior Veterinary Manager, Fonterra

Top tips for colostrum storage

• Always check quality. A Brix refractometer is a cheap and easy way to assess the quality of colostrum from each cow. Colostrum with a high Brix value (at least 22%) should be prioritised for newborn calves. Lower quality colostrum can be pooled for feeding to calves over a day old.
• The choice of storage vessel matters. Mike says it's common for colostrum and transition milk to be stored in a large plastic drum, but these are very difficult to keep hygienic due to the small scratches that often occur on the surfaces. Instead, the ideal choice is a stainless-steel bucket or drum, as its easy to clean and won't get scratches on its surface.
• If a plastic container is used, it should be emptied and scrubbed with hot, soapy water every couple of days.
• Reduce the bacteria from entering the colostrum whilst in storage by adding a lid to the bucket.
• If the colostrum is being stored for more than a few hours, you can reduce bacterial contamination by chilling it or adding potassium sorbate as a preservative.
• Colostrum can also be stored for up to six months in the freezer.

For more information on how to ensure a quality transfer of colostrum to your calves this season, chat to the Farm Source team who can ensure you have the right storage supplies.