By Blake Jackson
Extended colostrum feeding is gaining attention as a calf-management strategy that may provide benefits beyond the first day of life.
The practice involves feeding calves colostrum or transition milk, typically collected from the second through sixth milkings, after the initial 24-hour period.
According to Vinicius Buiatte, Assistant Clinical Professor and Extension Veterinarian at Penn State Extension, the first feeding of high-quality colostrum remains critical because calves rapidly lose their ability to absorb maternal antibodies into the bloodstream after birth.
Antibody absorption drops substantially within about 12 hours and ends by 24 hours. Calves should receive roughly 10% of their body weight in high-quality colostrum, with at least 50 mg of IgG per milliliter, within the first 2 to 6 hours after birth.
Colostrum provides more than antibodies. Compared with regular milk, it contains higher concentrations of protein and fat, along with compounds that can support immune function, intestinal development, and the establishment of beneficial gut microbes.
These components include antibodies, immune cells, cytokines, antimicrobial compounds, growth factors, and oligosaccharides.
After the first milking, the concentration of these beneficial components gradually declines as the cow's milk transitions toward normal composition. Milk collected during this period, commonly called transition milk, can still be used as a supplemental feed.
Research summarized by Renaud and Steele (2024) indicates that feeding colostrum or transition milk for several days after birth may improve intestinal development.
Michigan State University studies found that calves receiving transition milk for three days showed greater body weight and improved intestinal development compared with calves fed milk replacer alone. Other research has linked extended supplementation with lower disease risk and reduced antibiotic use.
Research at Washington State University found that calves receiving colostrum powder alongside milk replacer for 14 days experienced fewer cases of scours and required fewer antibiotics.
Penn State research led by Dr. Melissa Cantor also found that providing colostrum replacer after early signs of respiratory disease could reduce the likelihood of severe disease.
However, extended feeding requires careful management. Producers should consider colostrum availability, hygiene, herd health, and cost. Pooling milk from multiple cows may increase disease-transmission risks, while proper refrigeration, freezing, pasteurization or commercial replacers can help address quality concerns.
Buiatte emphasizes that farms should first establish excellent passive immunity through timely, high-quality colostrum feeding. Extended supplementation may offer additional benefits, but more research is needed to develop standardized recommendations for different dairy operations.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-katie-ellement
Categories: Pennsylvania, Livestock, Dairy Cattle