Step 1. Four litres of colostrum immediately
Give your calf four litres of colostrum with a brix value of at least 23% immediately after birth, within two hours. Read here why this is so important. Is the colostrum quality lower, between 20 and 22? Then you can correct the colostrum with ColoCorrect, freeze-dried colostrum. Do not use colostrum with a brix value below 20. Then use ColoCorrect in its entirety or get colostrum with a higher brix value from the freezer.
Step 2. Cool the remaining colostrum Ideally, the cow will give four to eight litres of colostrum at the first milking. If the calf has consumed four litres, you may still have colostrum left. Put this colostrum in the fridge immediately. For multiple calves, you can pour the colostrum into plastic bags or empty soft drink bottles, for example. Note the cow number and which milking it is, so that you have a good overview. Do you have more than two litres left? Then you can consider freezing it as a reserve. View the tips for freezing here.
Do you have much more or less colostrum than four to eight litres at the first milking? Then consult your feed advisor to go through the dry period ration. For that moment, use colostrum from the freezer or ColoCorrect.
Step 3. Another two litres of colostrum at the next feeding
At the next feeding, for example when you are going to feed all the calves again, take the leftover colostrum from the first milking from the refrigerator. Warm it up in a bain-marie, to about 38°C. Feed two litres of colostrum, so that your calf has consumed six litres of colostrum within 24 hours. Here you can read why this is so important.
Has the colostrum run out? Then take the colostrum from the second milking or take colostrum out of the freezer. Realize that the colostrum quality of the second milking is lower.
Step 4. Use the saved colostrum
Keep the cow’s colostrum separate on the second day as well. Store what you have left in the freezer and use it up completely. Feed the newborn calf with the regular feedings, with about two to three liters of colostrum per feeding.
Step 5. Switch to milk powder on day three or four
“There are only a few antibodies left in the colostrum from the third day,” says Nicolien. You can therefore switch to milk powder from day three or four. “Use the schedule for quantity and dosage on the bag of your milk powder.”
Tip: Request the colostrum protocol here. If you have any questions, you can contact any of the Young Ruminants Specialists in your region.