The Netherlands: 82% of calves have good colostrum intake
Of all calves for which samples were voluntarily submitted for the Royal GD Colostrum Intake Check, 82% had a good or excellent level of antibodies in the blood.
The results represent the average for calves sampled in 2025. Antibody levels are expressed as IgG content in grams per litre. There are 4 categories:
- Excellent (>25 IgG)
- Good (18–25 IgG)
- Insufficient (10–18 IgG)
- Too low (<10 IgG).
The average IgG content was 23 IgG, with a wide range from 4 to >30 IgG.
Antibody distribution: Of all calves, 37% were in the excellent group and 45% in the good group. In the insufficient group, the percentage was 16%, and in the too-low group, it was 2%.
A low score may indicate bottlenecks in colostrum quality, feeding timing, or hygiene, which can lead to problems such as diarrhoea or respiratory issues developing more quickly.
Importance of good colostrum
It is desirable that at least 70% of calves score above 18 IgG. According to GD, it is notable that, particularly in the third quarter, more calves had absorbed insufficient antibodies and that colostrum intake was not optimal in those cases.
These results emphasise how important it remains to provide sufficient, good-quality colostrum in a timely manner, and that periodic monitoring helps make timely adjustments.
