Predicting Better Colostrum for Healthier Calves
Colostrum, the nutrient-rich first milk from cows, plays a critical role in calf health, providing essential antibodies such as immunoglobulin G (IgG) to boost immunity and support early growth. , a researcher with the (NHAES) at the Â鶹app, has developed data-driven models to identify key factors affecting colostrum yield and quality—insights that could help dairy farmers improve calf health as well as long-term productivity and health of adult cows.
“Colostrum is essential to setting up calves for success,” said Erickson, a professor in the agriculture, nutrition and food systems department at the UNH . “It’s the foundation of their immunity and overall health.”
For New England farmers, managing colostrum quality can be particularly challenging due to the region’s variable weather and shorter growing seasons. Environmental stressors such as temperature fluctuations during a cow’s dry period can significantly impact colostrum production. These challenges make it even more critical for regional dairy producers to adopt effective strategies to improve colostrum quality.
Data-driven models are tools that analyze information from farms, cows and environmental conditions to identify patterns and factors that influence outcomes. In a led by Erickson, these models highlighted three key factors affecting colostrum yield and quality: timing, environment and nutrition. The models revealed that colostrum quality decreases significantly if it is not harvested within six hours of calving. Delaying the first milking reduces IgG levels, limiting the milk’s ability to deliver the protective benefits calves need.
“Our research shows that the timing of colostrum harvest is one of the most critical factors. Even a few hours’ delay can significantly reduce its quality,” Erickson explained.
This material is based on work supported by the NH Agricultural Experiment Station through joint funding from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (under Hatch Multistate award number 1016574) and the state of New Hampshire.