The first colostrum feeding is all about timing, colostrum quality, volume and temperature.
In the first two days of life, you have to ensure the calf receives sufficient antibodies from colostrum. You also need to supply enough energy to maintain the calf’s body temperature at the correct level. The first colostrum feeding is all about timing, quality, volume and temperature. Colostrum quality is the most important of these qualifiers and can be influenced in various ways. For good colostrum, be sure the feeding strategy of the dam during the close-up phase is correct to ensure the colostrum quality and quantity produced on the day of calving are correct.
Why is colostrum so important?
At birth, dairy calves do not have antibodies against pathogens and therefore have no resistance at all to calf diseases. The calf can only obtain the necessary antibodies by drinking sufficient good-quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth. There are 2 more reasons that colostrum is important.
Firstly, calves are born with a low energy reserve compared to other mammals (See graph). So calves need an energy boost as soon as possible after birth. Compared to normal milk, colostrum contains the double amount of solids and energy. This makes cow colostrum the right super-fuel after birth.
Secondly, it contains ingredients – hormones, growth factors, insulin, etc – which activate the development of the gut, and support the digestion of milk solids in the early days of life.
How to measure colostrum quality?
The quality of the colostrum is a make or break factor for the health of newborn calves. To check colostrum quality, farmers should use a BRIX-refractometer. The BRIX-refractometer is a simple, cheap and accurate tool to determine the level of milk solids and thereby the quality of the colostrum. Every farmer should have one! This video shows how to use the BRIX-refractometer for measuring colostrum quality and get a reliable result.
Settle for the best colostrum quality
Colostrum is important for calves. It contains antibodies and a number of other substances that are very important for an optimal start. A quick and hygienic provision of colostrum of high quality is therefore crucial.
You can access all of our documentation such as the science behind Sprayfo and LifeStart research documents, Sprayfo technical bulletins about various calf diseases and technical product data sheets or feeding schedules.
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Colostrum is important for calves. It contains antibodies and a number of other substances that are very important for an optimal start. A quick and hygienic provision of colostrum of high quality is therefore crucial.
Working on, or managing a dairy farm is a challenging task; day-to-day routines demand most of your time. Are your operating procedures well set? Do you get the most out of your work? Tough questions if you don't have any reference at hand.
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Science-based solutions for optimum dairy performance
SPRAYFO DELTA
Sprayfo Delta has been developed with whole milk as the biological reference, mixing the best of whole milk with the best of calf milk replacers (CMRs). Inspired by saleable milk, Sprayfo Delta is high in fat, ensuring calves gets a high level of energy. Combined with a perfect balance of vitamins and minerals calves will get the best possible start in life.
SPRAYFO ROYAL
With its superior quality and a milk powder content of 50% Sprayfo Royal is a front-rank LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer in the market. Sprayfo Royal contributes to problem-free calf rearing: calves will drink it enthusiastically, show optimal health and grow maximally.
SPRAYFO EXCELLENT
Sprayfo Excellent is a LifeStart endorsed high-quality calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who place the highest demands on their calf rearing. With Sprayfo Excellent you can elevate concentrations to a high level: up to 150 grams per litre of milk.
SPRAYFO VITESSE
Sprayfo Vitesse is a LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who place the highest demands on their calf rearing. Sprayfo Vitesse is easily digestible and very suitable to elevate concentrations up to 150 grams per litre of milk.
SPRAYFO YELLOW
A LifeStart endorsed calf milk replacer for dairy farmers who opt for a familiar and trusted formula. Your step into the professional league of calf rearing.
SPRAYFO BLUE
Sprayfo Blue provides a well-balanced blend for proper calf rearing. Sprayfo Blue is based on unique spray-dried whey-fat kernels. Following the Sprayfo feeding and mixing advice your calves will develop well in the first few months.
SPRAYFO RED
Sprayfo Red is a calf milk replacer for economical and secure calf rearing. Sprayfo Red is very easily dissolved due to the unique spray-drying production process. It can be fed as from day 10 after birth.
SPRAYFO eVITO
Coming soon! Sprayfo e-Vito is the first energised calf starter feed that is being develop by Trouw Nutrition. Two trials in Holstein dairy calves have been carried out to date. In the first trial, carried out by IRTA in Spain, it was established that mixing in 10% energised calf starter pellet into the normal calf starter gives optimal results.
SPRAYFO AVANTA
Sprayfo Avanta Calf Starter is based on research and experience resulting in a balanced formulation and when combined with Sprayfo calf milk replacers, Sprayfo Avanta is the basis for the best rumen development for calves in the first months: facilitating trouble free weaning and the best growth up to an age of 4 months.
SPRAYFO COLOSTRUM
In case of low quality or quantity colostrum on farm, an alternative to natural colostrum can be provided with Sprayfo Colostrum: a feed material perfectly suitable to be provided as a colostrum replacer or supplement for calves.
SPRAYFO HYDRAFIT
Sprayfo HydraFit is a complementary feed for ruminants that provides the needed salts and sugars in the right amounts and in the correct ratio. HydraFit uses a method with a pending patent that allows for fast intake of water and supply of electrolytes and maintain hydration status.
SPRAYFO OSMOFIT
Sprayfo OsmoFit is a dietetic complementary feed for calves, developed to stabilize the water and electrolyte balance to support physiological digestion in case of diarrhoea. This patent pending formula allows for effective recovery and correction of metabolic acidosis.
