Colostrum

The First Thing Every Calf Needs.

The immune system of a calf is immature at birth and so it relies almost entirely on the passive transfer of maternal antibodies through colostrum immediately after birth. Not only does this help calves survive the environmental challenges they’ll face, but it also allows them to reach their genetic potential through a healthy and productive life. Unfortunately, mother nature doesn’t always deliver exactly what your newborn calf needs. That’s where SCCL comes in. When you need instant, safe and consistent colostrum for your dairy or beef calf, you can trust SCCL.

To learn more about specific colostrum needs for your newborn calf, select dairy or beef.

Beef

Dairy

Whole Colostrum for the Whole Calf

Colostrum, designed perfectly by mother nature for the newborn, is a complex biological liquid with a combination of bioactive factors that are essential to getting newborns off to a good start.

Immune Factors

While the main function of colostrum is to transfer immunity from a dam to her offspring in the form of immunoglobulins or antibodies, many other factors are transferred at the same time. In addition to immunoglobulins, the immune factors include several molecules that are antimicrobials such as lactoferrin, lysozyme, and lactoperoxidase. Through different mechanisms these molecules contribute to the healthy operation of local immune functionality.

Nutrients

Colostral fat is necessary for calves to receive on day one as it impacts thermogenesis, activity, morbidity, mortality and average daily gain in the first 90 days of life! The thermal neutral zone of a calf is extremely narrow (55°F – 79°F) and calves that are born outside of this zone are at high risk for hypothermia or heat stress. Colostral fat provides the critical energy they need to maintain body temperature and survive the first hours of life. It also carries the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Fat alternatives found in other colostrum products include animal fats and vegetable oils, and these fats have not shown the same benefits to the calf. In a 2020 study, calves fed products that were de-fatted were less able to thermoregulate. Colostrum also contains proteins, lactose, and a range of vitamins and minerals that are important for neonatal health and growth.

Growth Factors & Hormones

Colostrum contains important hormones as well as growth factors that stimulate the growth of cells in a variety of tissues. They are important in development of the intestines and also in repairing them following certain types of neonatal diarrhea. A variety of hormones stimulate and regulate the growth of other tissues and organs.

The SCCL Promise

At SCCL, it is our mission to offer products that are parallel to what mother nature intended for the calf. We source our colostrum from dairies that are licensed to produce milk for human consumption then carefully heat treat it to remove any concerns for disease transmission. It is then dried into a convenient, shelf-stable, powder form. Some products offer isolated properties of colostrum, but we strive to provide whole colostrum for the whole calf. Feeding our whole bovine colostrum products will provide peace of mind knowing that each calf will be off to a head start for a healthy and productive life in the herd!

Colostrum Basics

Learn from HeadStart Dairy about the basics of colostrum management and using SCCL to improve your herd.

Colostrum Resources

To learn more about colostrum for calves, check out our resource hub.

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