Everything You Should Know About Cow Colostrum Harvesting

Want To Know About Cow Colostrum Harvesting?

Colostrum is the initial milky liquid that is extracted from a cow that has just given birth to a newborn. It is a yellowish liquid that resembles buttermilk and is rich in various micronutrients. The harvesting process of bovine colostrum is critical to the freshness, effectiveness, and hygiene of the liquid. This is what determines how healthy it will be for anyone who decides to invest in a bovine colostrum supplement.

Bovine Colostrum Harvesting: The Cow And The How of it

Bovine colostrum harvesting/extraction is not only critical to the health and well-being of the newborn baby cow but also to those of us looking for a great immune supplement. Following are a few best practices that are recommended to ensure that bovine cholesterol is harvested efficiently

The Timing Matters A Lot

There is a time window that needs to be adhered to when harvesting bovine colostrum. It is collected within one or two hours after the cow has given birth. The maximum delay can be 6 hours. Remember that the concentration of IgG is the highest immediately after birth and it decreases gradually as time passes by.

Hygiene of The Next Level

The dairy farm personnel need to ensure that the udder and teats are free of any dirt before the extraction begins. There should be no bacteria or other contaminants before milking. The recommended prep routine is dip-wipe-dip and scrub.

Milking is Critical

The bucket or container which is used to collect milk is first sanitized. The cow is milked into that container. It is not recommended to collect colostrum from multiple cows in the same container. This can dilute the quality and increase the probability of bacterial contamination.

Take Care of The Volume

It is important to collect enough volume of bovine colostrum. Some of this quantity is often fed to the calf to ensure its health and stronger immunity.

Quality of Colostrum

The quality of the bovine colostrum extracted matters a lot. It is often preferred that the liquid is yellowish and free of any contaminants. It should have a thick and creamy consistency. If there is any watery colostrum, it should be discarded immediately. If there is any noticeable smell or blood clots, it should be gotten rid of.

Storage Guidelines

The storage guidelines are also very clear. Harvested colostrum should always be stored in a clean and sanitized container. The temperature should be below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It is advised to freeze it within 1 hour of harvesting it. It is never advised to store colostrum at room temperature or anywhere above 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Handling With Care

Bovine colostrum is handled with care always. Rough handling only increases the probability of bacterial contamination. This damages the immunoglobulin content of the extraction.

Testing is Important

There are certain parameters against which the quality of the colostrum is tested. For example, the first is bacterial contamination; the second is IgG concentration, and so on. As per a report by the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, it is advised to use a refractometer that helps one estimate the total protein content and IgG concentration of the colostrum liquid.

Additional Practices Followed By Dairy Farm Employees To Ensure Clean And Fast Colostrum Harvesting

All the healthy cows are moved to the milking area within a 2-hour window of calving
All the healthy or fresh cows are milked before milking sick or treated cows
Cow preparation is important and is similar to how routine parlor practices are carried out
It is also important to sanitize and service the milking equipment

The Colostrum Should Be Preserved Immediately But The Cow Should Meet The Following Criteria First:

John's Elisa test should have come out negative
The cow should be healthy
There should be no mastitis
Ensure that there is no leaking of milk
Make sure that there is no blood in the milk

Labeling and Storage of Bovine Colostrum

Dairy farm employees are trained well to put freshly extracted colostrum in airtight bottles or ziplock containers only
Each container needs to be marked with the cow ID and the date it was collected on
Cow colostrum is always placed in a clean refrigerator within a two-hour window of it being collected
If the collected cow bovine colostrum is more than 7 days old and hasn't been processed in the form of a health supplement, it is discarded

Bovine cow colostrum supplement brands focus on these standards and practices to ensure the highest level of hygiene and quality because the demand for this product is on the rise as we speak. People have become more aware of the numerous benefits of this health supplement over the past few years.

Exploring The Countless Health Benefits of Cow Bovine Colostrum

Support for Immunity

A study done by the National Library of Medicine suggests that bovine colostrum may support your immune function.

Antioxidant Profile

Another study issued by the National Library of Medicine indicates that it may contain antioxidants and micronutrients.

Stomach Problems

A systematic review done in 2014 suggests potential benefits in case of stomach problems or digestive health issues.

Leaky Gut Problem

Scientific literature and study by NLM indicates that it may be associated with gut health support. It is also potentially linked to tissue repair and decreased gut inflammation.

Blood Sugar Level Management

Hyperimmune cow colostrum may support healthy blood glucose levels.

Are There Any Side Effects To Bovine Colostrum Supplementation?

So far there have been very few and mild side effects but they are related only to over-consumption of bovine colostrum. According to 51 studies done over the past few years, these side effects may include:

Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Nausea
Gas
Skin rash

On the other hand, there have been many studies that report absolutely no side effects of taking this health supplement. However, if you are pregnant, you should always consult with your gynecologist and nutritionist before you start any dietary supplement. Remember, enlightening you and encouraging you to adopt a better and healthier lifestyle is Wellness Extract. Stay tuned for more such interesting facts.

Disclaimer: These statements have not been assessed, approved or evaluated by the FDA. This blog or article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. In case of any health problem you should seek professional medical help only.