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Handling of colostrum and transition milk

Colostrum and transition milk are quite similar feeds. Transition milk is a stepping stone from colostrum to cows’ milk and therefore it is not quite the same as colostrum. Both feeds have a higher solids content than whole milk and contain bioactive factors to support the intestinal health and development. However, transition milk typically does not contain sufficient amounts of IgG for use as the calf’s first feed.

Additionally, the longer the period between calving and colostrum collection, the more similar to transition milk colostrum becomes. That is, it is decreasing in its concentration of IgG, despite the cow not having been milked.

Furthermore, the initial concentration of IgG in colostrum greatly varies from cow to cow and therefore collection of colostrum should be ASAP, ideally within 2 hours of calving. This should be the first choice for a calf’s first feed as it is the best chance a calf will have to absorb sufficient amounts of IgG to gain adequate immunity for maximum protection against diseases in the first days of life.

*Colostrum collected from the cow within the first couple of hours of calving should be the only feed considered for the calf’s first feed.

Colostrum and transition milk are both richer substances than whole milk, therefore handling of them should be treated the same. Bad bacteria entering the calf’s system via colostrum or transition milk competes with good nutrients and bioactive factors which promote gut health and development. In colostrum, the main concern is its interference with absorption of IgG, the key to providing calf with its initial immunity.

Collect as Hygienically as Possible

The lower the bacterial content at collection, the less risky it is to the calf and the slower the multiplication of that bacteria. It is amazing the level of bacteria we can have despite hygienic protocols.

 Storage – Closed Containers 

Use buckets with lids – this eliminates the addition of bacteria entering from the environment and coming off ourselves whenever we may walk past. Addition of bacteria after collection will accelerate growth, similar to ‘dirty’ collection. 

Store in a Fridge

The most rapid period of growth of bacteria in collected colostrum and transition milk is in the first 6 hours (Cummins et al., 2016). This is regardless of storage conditions. Therefore, if we can get it into a fridge ASAP after collection, we can minimise the growth of bacteria. Even if it is cold outside e.g. 4°C, bacteria will grow more rapidly than in a fridge and any fluctuation in temperature can have a significant affect on this. Therefore, storage in a fridge is a highly advantageous practice 

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