Specific gravity: A better test of first-milk quality

Abstract

Density of immunoglobulins that pass from the dairy cow to the calf in the first milk (colostrum) is important in the calf's development of high levels of passive immunity. This study shows that specific gravity of the first milk is a better gauge of immunoglobulin density than conventional observation. Better use of colostrum may reduce the incidence of early calfhood disease and the need for antibiotics or other antimicrobials.