Our guide to storing calf colostrum

Having colostrum accessible to calves is imperative to the colostrum feeding program. For reasons such as the cow cannot produce enough colostrum, Colostrum is of low quality, or the freshly calved cow has not been milked within hours of giving birth.  Calves are essentially born with little to no immunity. Therefore, the quality of colostrum is essential for disease prevention during the first weeks of a calf’s life.

How farmers store colostrum is vital so that the immunoglobulins (antibodies), energy, cytokines, growth factor, minerals and vitamins are not destroyed in the process.  

Fresh colostrum should be fed within one hour of collection or stored in the fridge or freezer soon afterwards. This is important as bacterial growth is highest in the first three to six hours after collection. Storing colostrum at room temperature does not affect the quality but bacterial numbers increase and ph reduces having a negative impact on the calf.  

Colostrum has a higher solid content compared to cow’s milk throughout lactation this represents more food for bacteria.  Therefore, it is essential to store colostrum quickly and correctly.

In general, two to three days longest time to store in the refrigerator. How long colostrum stays good in the refrigerator depends on the cleanliness of your colostrum and storage equipment. Check the temperature of the fridge, it should be kept between 1 and 2 degrees.

Colostrum can be frozen (-18 to -20) for use within six months. The Maximum amount of time-frozen colostrum that can be stored without damaging the antibodies is six months. The amount of time it takes to thaw colostrum will vary depending on container size.

A good option is to use freezer bags to store them as they take up less room in the freezer and have a greater surface area which means colostrum defrosts quicker.

Submerge the sealed frozen container in a bath of warm (40 degrees Celsius) tap water until it thaws completely stirring occasionally. Research has proven that the maximum temperature immunoglobulins can handle before they are denatured is 60 degrees Celsius.  To be safe, aim for thawing your colostrum in warm water, no hotter than 48 degrees Celsius.