Question

why do you think the farmer is feeding the calf at her mother's udder?

Answer 1

When a calf is born, it can usually stand within the first hour of its life. Usually is a key word because for some calves it takes longer. A calf has to be able to stand in order to drink from its mother. When a calf drinks from its mother, it’s difficult to tell if the calf is getting enough to eat until it starts to gain or lose weight. By separating the pair and harvesting the colostrum for the calf, we can be sure that it gets plenty to eat very quickly after it’s born. Colostrum is the mother’s first milk, and it is crucial to the calf’s immunity. The quantity and quality of colostrum that the calf gets potentially impact its health for the rest of its life. Some cows don’t have enough colostrum or give colostrum that is lower quality. We reserve and freeze extra colostrum to feed in these situations so that every calf gets the antibodies it needs to jumpstart its immune system.