Colostrum

Colostrum is the first milk after giving birth. The newborn receives it as a kind of “starter” for its own defences. Over about 3 to 5 days, colostrum gradually changes into normal milk.

Small amounts, great importance

In terms of nutritional value, this first milk plays only a small part. Its real importance lies elsewhere: colostrum from the mammary glands is of great importance for building up the body's own defences and for the further development of the newborn.

For a long time this significance was underestimated. Thanks to modern analysis methods, colostrum is now getting the attention it deserves.

Why is cow and goat colostrum so special?

Unlike human babies, ruminants such as cows and goats are not born with immune protection: the placenta does not pass immunoglobulins on to the unborn calf or kid. The newborn therefore has to get this protection from the first milk. That is why the colostrum of cows is particularly rich in immunoglobulins – concentrated up to 40 times higher than their level in human blood.

Every farmer knows how indispensable colostrum is to the life of a calf, and would never keep it from the young animal. Fortunately, cows and goats produce much more colostrum than their young need. That surplus is what we can supply to our customers.

The older the cow or goat, the richer the colostrum. This is perfectly normal: the longer an animal lives, the more antibodies it has built up.

What is in colostrum?

The most important components of colostrum fall into two groups: immune factors and growth factors.

Immunoglobulins, also called antibodies, are proteins produced by the immune system in response to bacteria, viruses and other foreign substances. They make up more than half of the protein in colostrum. In addition, colostrum contains growth factors, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.

See the full composition