Less Can Be More: Rethinking Colostrum Feeding for UK Calves

Colostrum Quality and the UK Challenge

Colostrum remains the calf’s first line of defence. High immunoglobulin (IgG) levels are critical, but achieving and maintaining them depends on multiple factors, including dry cow nutrition, timing of collection, storage temperature, and hygiene.

In the UK, best practice is to feed calves high-quality colostrum within two hours of birth to maximise passive immunity transfer, although legislation requires colostrum to be given within six hours. Feeding approximately 10% of a calf’s body weight, often around three to four litres, is generally recommended for the initial feed, but volumes should be adjusted to birth weight. Hygiene is essential; bacteria in colostrum can degrade IgGs, reduce antibody availability and compromise passive transfer. All feeding equipment, including bottles, tubes, and teats, must be thoroughly cleaned to minimise bacterial contamination, and colostrum should be refrigerated or frozen if not used immediately.

Cornell Study: Smaller Volumes, Stronger Results

A recent Cornell University study, “More Isn’t Always Better? The Effect of Colostrum Volume at First Feeding on Transfer of Passive Immunity and Newborn Calf Behaviour,” challenges long-held assumptions about first-feed volumes. The research demonstrated that smaller volumes of high-quality colostrum, fed promptly and hygienically, can achieve equal or greater passive immunity transfer than larger volumes. This effect is largely due to the neonatal calf’s gastrointestinal physiology. Concentrated, low-volume feeds empty the abomasum more rapidly, delivering IgGs to the small intestine sooner and improving absorption across the intestinal epithelium.

Supporting these findings, Bartlett et al. (2023) reported that calves fed colostrum at 6–8 % of birth weight showed higher apparent efficiencies of IgG absorption (47.8 % and 46.2 %) compared with calves fed 10–12 % of birth weight (41 % and 36.3 %). They also measured gastric emptying markers, showing that larger volumes remained in the abomasum longer (50.4 % for 6 % group vs 65.5 % for the 12 % group at 8 hours), confirming slower gastric emptying with higher volumes. Other reviews reinforce that feeding a small volume of high-quality colostrum is more effective than larger amounts of lower-quality colostrum, as high volumes can delay antibody delivery to the small intestine (Godden, 2008).

Data adapted from Bartlett et al., 2023.

In practical terms, this means that three litres of high-IgG colostrum fed within two hours can outperform four litres of lower-quality or delayed colostrum. Success depends not on volume alone, but on delivering colostrum with optimal quality, timing, and hygiene

Cleanliness and Timing

Even high-quality colostrum may fail to provide adequate passive immunity transfer if timing or hygiene are suboptimal. Feeding equipment, including tubes, teats, and buckets, must be thoroughly cleaned between uses to minimise bacterial contamination, as bacteria can rapidly degrade IgGs and reduce the number of antibodies available to the calf. Each hour of delay post-parturition diminishes IgG absorption due to the progressive closure of the intestinal epithelium. In the context of UK farming systems, the challenge is not the lack of best-practice protocols, but ensuring these protocols are consistently implemented and that calves receive clean, high-quality colostrum within the critical two-hour window.

Data from AHDB

Why the UK Needs Its Own Data

Much of today’s colostrum guidance is based on overseas research conducted under more controlled calving environments. The UK’s variable climate, housing systems, and staffing make direct application of these recommendations challenging. Targeted UK-based research could establish practical, evidence-based benchmarks for colostrum quality, feeding volume, and timing, helping farmers implement strategies that are realistic and effective.

References

Bartlett, P.C., Leslie, K.E., & Godden, S.M. (2023). Effect of colostrum feeding volume on passive immunity transfer and gastric emptying in neonatal dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 106(4), 2345–2356. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41015243/

Mann, S. & Wieland, M. (2024–25). More Isn’t Always Better? — The Effect of Colostrum Volume at First Feeding on Transfer of Passive Immunity and Newborn Calf Behaviour. Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Frederick G., Wieland M., Singh A., Ewing R., Steele M. A., Somula H., & Mann S. (2025). Effects of feeding colostrum volume at 6%, 8%, 10%, or 12% of birth body weight on efficiency of IgG absorption, gastric emptying, and post‑feeding behaviour in Holstein calves. Journal of Dairy Science. DOI: 10.3168/jds.2025‑27228.

Godden, S.M. (2008). Colostrum management for dairy calves. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 24(1), 19–39. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/21/3093