Win the first 24 hours: A stronger start sets calves up for success

17 February 2026

7 minute read

By: Marlien De Kock | Jac Bergman

Europe

“The first 24 hours set the trajectory for a calf’s entire life.”

Calves are born with minimal circulating antibodies, so their first and most important immune protection is the dam’s colostrum, delivered fast, in enough volume, and with high immunoglobulins (Ig). Colostrum also supplies energy and bioactive compounds that support thermoregulation and gut development. Clear, practical steps taken during late gestation and calving can noticeably improve colostrum quality and ensure a more resilient calf. This article delves into why colostrum is important, critical areas to focus on when supplying colostrum, and specific factors to leverage when supplying colostrum to beef calves. 

Why colostrum matters

Colostrum provides the newborn with immunoglobulins (antibodies) along with nutrients and growth factors that accelerate intestinal maturation and immune competence. Because the bovine placenta transfers virtually no antibodies, successful passive transfer via colostrum is essential for calf health and survival. Many U.S. experts now encourage aiming beyond the historical ≥10 g/L serum IgG cutoff at 24–48 hours toward herd distributions with more calves in ‘good-to-excellent’ categories (≥24 g/L), which correlates with lower morbidity and better growth.

Focus on the three Q’s: Quality, Quantity, Quickness

Focusing on the three Q’s is essential. Quality is important because each component in colostrum plays a critical role in ensuring calves receive the best possible start in life. Quantity is crucial because feeding enough colostrum (typically about 10% of the calf’s birthweight) ensures the calf gets adequate levels of both immunoglobulins and energy to support early growth and gut development. Quickness is equally important, as the efficiency of IgG absorption by the calf’s gut drops rapidly with time after birth, making it vital to deliver colostrum as soon as possible; ideally within the first hours. Together, these three Q’s form the foundation for successful passive immunity transfer, reduced morbidity, and better growth outcomes for calves.

How to ensure we manage the 3 Q’s

• Quality: Use a Brix refractometer to screen colostrum. A practical on-farm threshold is ≥22% Brix, which approximates ≥50 g IgG/L milk; 18–21% can be held for second feedings, and <18% avoided for first feeds.  On a classic cow-calf operation, measuring Brix values can be challenging and not always practical. Testing the (blood?) serum of calves within a few days after birth can offer an alternative testing option to determine if the colostrum provided was of sufficient quality.
• Quantity: As a rule of thumb, feed ~10% of birthweight within the first hours of life (e.g., 3–4 L for many beef calves).
• Quickness: The sooner the calf ingests colostrum, the better. IgG absorption efficiency drops by the hour. Many programs add a second colostrum feeding 6–12 hours after the first to ensure successful passive immunity transfer. 

Among these three factors, observing the interval between birth and colostrum feeding is the most practical. Improving quality and quantity can be a challenge in cow-calf operations. Alternative strategies must be introduced to enable the dam to produce high-quality and enough colostrum.

Hidden quality killers: bacteria, delay, and environment

Even high-IgG colostrum underperforms if it’s heavily contaminated. Heat stress and dystocia can depress colostrum quality and reduce calf vigor.  The calving environment and close observation matter, especially for heifers. Ensuring a clean, hygienic environment in the calving area, with no mud present, ensures a clean udder and thereby increases the quality of milk ingested by the calf.

Beef-specific levers to raise colostrum quality

Body condition & ease of calving: Aim for cows to calve at a body condition score between 5 and 6 on a 9-point scale. Either extreme increases the odds of prolonged calving which can lead to a sluggish calf that is slow to stand and suckle and lower early intake of colostrum. Managing dystocia risk and assisting promptly when needed helps both the dam's colostrum letdown and calf vigor.

Vaccination timing: Work with your veterinarian to time pre-calving vaccinations far enough ahead (often 6–8 weeks) to load specific antibodies into colostrum against regional enteric and respiratory pathogens. Remember, vaccines complement, never replace, good hygiene and nutrition.

Stress, disease, and parasites: Late-gestation stress suppresses immunity and can lower antibody concentrations in colostrum. It is therefore important to provide space, gentle handling, and to reduce disruptions. Control parasites and monitor diseases (e.g., Johne’s, mastitis) that can reduce colostrum yield or quality.

Nutrition in the last 4–6 weeks: Meet rising energy and protein demands of late gestation to maintain a steady body condition score. Pay attention to trace minerals and vitamins that underpin immune function (e.g., Zn, Cu, Se, vitamin E). In dairy research, the correct source of trace minerals has been associated with increases in colostrum yield. The use of Intellibond hydroxy minerals in dairy cows has shown good results in improving colostrum yield.

Nature worth watching: PhytoComplex Solution

Beyond the fundamentals of nurturing colostrum production and intake, plant-based nutrition can also play a role. Research has shown that feeding Fytera Lacteco, a patented botanical blend containing capsicum, turmeric, and black pepper oleoresins, delivers notable benefits for both immunity and colostrum quality and quantity in cow–calf operations. 

These PhytoComplexes have been shown in university trials to support higher colostrum fat content and enhance certain immunoglobulin levels, particularly increasing calf serum IgA and IgG. By supporting the dam’s immune function and reducing oxidative stress, this PhytoComplex solution can help boost colostrum antibody concentration, thereby improving passive immunity transfer to the calf. 

Additionally, the inclusion of these PhytoComplexes has been associated with a dose-response-related increase in early calf average daily gain. Monitoring cows during calving and assisting when needed ensures calves receive enough colostrum on time. in the PhytoComplex can be included in a farm mineral mix or supplemental feed to make supplementation practical and easy.

Bottom line

You don’t need complicated protocols to make a big difference in colostrum quality, production and intake. Ensuring a stress-free, clean calving environment and a calm, well-fed dam with vaccinations timed ahead of calving will go a long way to support calf health. 

Observing cows during calving and assisting, when necessary, ensures that timely calf colostrum intake will further ensure that calves benefit from high-quality colostrum. Consider PhytoComplex support as a natural, easy solution once the basics are right, and verify progress with simple record keeping.

Simple, repeatable steps beat silver bullets: clean, observe, and follow up.

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