Colostrum
LIFELINE Nutrition Solutions
All Newborn Animals Need Colostrum to Thrive.
LIFELINE Nutrition Solutions
What is Colostrum?
Colostrum is the first milk produced by the mother after giving birth. It is a thick, yellowish fluid that is different from regular milk. Colostrum is extremely important for the newborn as it provides essential nutrients, antibodies, growth factors, and immune cells that help the young animal establish a strong immune system and protect against infections.
Colostrum is highly concentrated in beneficial components, such as immunoglobulins (antibodies), which are transferred from the mother to the offspring. These antibodies provide passive immunity, meaning they help protect the newborn against diseases until its own immune system fully develops. The concentration of immunoglobulins in colostrum is significantly higher than in regular milk, making it crucial for the calf, goat kid, or lamb to receive colostrum shortly after birth.
How to Achieve Passive Transfer of Immunity
Ideally, newborns should receive colostrum within the first few hours of life when their intestines are most capable of absorbing these antibodies. This process is often referred to as "passive transfer of immunity." If a newborn does not receive an adequate amount of colostrum, or if the colostrum quality is poor, it can lead to a condition known as "failure of passive transfer," making the young animal more susceptible to infections and other health issues.
Farmers and livestock owners often take measures to ensure newborns receive sufficient colostrum. This may involve monitoring the quality of colostrum from the mother, assisting the newborn in nursing, or providing colostrum substitutes or supplements if necessary.
What Makes LIFELINE’s Colostrum Unique?
LIFELINE's colostrum products offer a distinct advantage compared to other colostrum replacers. While many replacers are made from dried bovine colostrum powder, LIFELINE's colostrum products utilize nutrient-rich plasma, which is recognized as the most extensively researched source of globulin protein in colostrum replacers. This unique formulation ensures that calves receive a high concentration of globulin protein, along with essential nutrients and energy vital for their health and immune system development at birth. LIFELINE's colostrum products provide optimal nourishment and support to newborn animals, setting them apart in the market.