Introduction

Colostrum is natures first and most powerful nourishment for a calf, setting them up for short- and long-term health and productivity. Notably, the fat that is in colostrum (besides the obvious antibodies) is ESSENTIAL in getting calves up, excited to be alive and thriving through to weaning and as a member of the herd.

Unfortunately, sometimes nature falls short. Heifers are notorious for poor quality or low quantity of colostrum, hot days discourage colostrum intake, twins can be slow to suck and compete for the same stock of colostrum and difficult calvings can mean weak suckle reflexes and stressed calves with a reduced ability to absorb the nutrients and bioactives from colostrum.

In these situations, management matters. Colostrum is the first feed and supports immune defence, gut development and tissue repair. In order to do so many amazing things, it is rich in:

On-farm there will be situations when nature is unable to provide these essential nutrients and enzymes. In those cases a powdered colostrum must be available and FAST so these calves don’t miss out.

Identifying a Good Colostrum Product

Powdered colostrum has been on the market for years and serves as a convenient tool for producers. The rule of thumb is simple: if you walk away feeling like you’ve gotten a good deal, it’s probably not worth feeding. By that point, you’ve already invested thousands of dollars into feed, genetics, and infrastructure just to get that calf on the ground. On top of that, you’ve put in the time and labour to assist the birth, prepare and deliver colostrum, and closely monitor the calf.

With cattle prices remaining strong, every decision matters. Cutting corners at this stage risks undermining everything you’ve already invested. Instead, focus on giving each calf the highest level of care possible. A robust colostrum protocol ensure’s calves develop full immunity and receive the nutrition they would have naturally gotten from their dam. This sets them up for a healthier start and a stronger return on your investment.

Labels are your best friend. Some products advertise themselves as whole bovine, but they remove the fat through defatting. Defatting removes the valuable colostral fat that helps calves regulate body temperature and stimulates the metabolism of brown fat. These are critical functions in the first hours of life under cold or heat stress. Manufacturers then replace that fat with alternatives such as plant-based oils or milk fats. While this will look like the same % of fat, the fats themselves are not having the same biophysical response that the fat in colostrum has evolved for thousands of years alongside a calf does. The natural development of colostrum to promote a synergy between proteins, fats and bioactive compound is the perfect elixir for calves to achieve their potential. A concoction of manufactured products can simulate, but can never replace the power of natural whole bovine colostrum.

Why Colostral Fat Matters

What’s the problem with alternative fat sources?

• Do not contain colostral bioactives evolved to support calves specifically in early calfhood
• Alters the natural composition of colostrum
• Reduces the authenticity and functional value
• Misleads consumers when included in a “bovine colostrum” product. Colostrum without colostral fat is not whole
• True bovine colostrum performs best when you keep it intact as a whole product

Beyond this, colostral fat is a carrier of vitamins A, D, E, and K, phospholipids and essential fatty acids. These act to support immune modulation, gut barrier integrity and cellular communication. Removing and replacing it with cheaper components weakens the overall functional benefits of colostrum.

Nothing but a whole bovine colostrum replacer will do in this situation and SCCL’s line of products offers the power of maternal colostrum with convenience, safety and peace of mind.

Specifically, our Calf Choice Total – HiCal product brings the goodness of a robust antibody profile from over 1.4 million cows, proven safety, cleanliness and convenience with the highest proportion of bovine colostral fat that you can find on the market. Offering 100g of IgG per bag and over 20% colostral fat, calves are protected, thriving and better primed to reach their genetic potential.

Stay informed and subscribe to the Colostrum Counsel to optimize your colostrum management.