Colostrum

Raw 1st-day or 2nd day Colostrum from our 100% grass-fed, A2 cows. (non-GMO)

Day 1 Colostrum $16/pint  in plastic containers. This is colostrum from the FIRST day following calving–when it is the most nutrient-dense.

Day 2 Colostrum $12/pint ON SALE $10/pint fresh, or $8/pint frozen in plastic containers.

This colostrum is from the Second day following calving and is starting to transition from colostrum to milk, so it isn’t quite as golden yellow and has a little less of the “good stuff” than the first day.

We sell unfrozen colostrum for up 10 days after we have a new calf born. If it hasn’t sold by day 10, it gets frozen. It is extremely difficult to keep the inventory accurate on fresh vs frozen, since you might place your order for fresh on day 9, but not be picking up until day 12, and it will get frozen on day 10. So we do our best to provide fresh if available, but frozen might be your only option by the time you pick up your order. Thanks for understanding!

If you buy the fresh colostrum, you may want to freeze it in ice cube trays, and once they are frozen, pop them out and store them in a ziplock freezer bag, so you can easily add a couple of ice cubes to your smoothies, etc. for easy serving sizes.  People always ask us how much they should consume. verwellhealth.com indicates that for powder/dry supplements, the common dosing is 1 1/2 Tablespoons to 4 Tablespoons. Our colostrum is in liquid form, so I would probably go with the higher end–about 4 TBSP or 1/4 cup. But there really isn’t a specific “dose” amount. It is food. Start with a little and gradually increase and see how your body feels.

Colostrum is the rich, yellow, nutrient-dense, food produced by a mammal during the first few days after giving birth before the true milk comes in.  It is rich in bioactive components, including “immunoglobulins (antibodies) known to stimulate the immune system. Proponents claim that colostrum offers a number of health benefits, including the treatment of colitis, diarrhea, and upper respiratory tract infections. Colostrum is also said to improve immunity as well as enhance athletic performance.” (https://www.verywellhealth.com/colostrum-supplements-what-you-need-to-know-89040)

“Am I stealing colostrum from your calves?” We get this question a lot. No, our calves always get plenty of colostrum before we take any to sell. Our calves get a minimum of 1 gallon of the first day colostrum. They get to nurse full time for the first few days after they are born. We milk the cows once a day during that time to take the pressure off the udder, that is usually very very full by the time she calves. Starting on day 3 or 4 we start separating the calf from its mom at night, and it gets to nurse all day still. The cow usually has 2-4 gallons of colostrum the first day –way more than the calf can drink. And then the calf also gets all of the colostrum they want on days 2-3 as it shifts from colostrum to milk. We don’t sell the day 2-3 colostrum at all, it all goes to calves. Once calves start getting separated at night from their mom, they get a bottle of raw milk in the morning before they are released to nurse on their mom after we milk her. So that day 2-3 colostrum that we milk out goes to the calves in their bottles as well. If a cow has low colostrum production, all of her colostrum goes to her calf. We are very careful to ensure our calves needs come first.

Here is some more info about colostrum:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colostrum

Human consumption of bovine colostrum

While it has long been understood that the colostrum a mother produces is vital to a newborn’s health in the first few days of life, research has shown that bovine (cow) colostrum and its components can continue to support important biological activities when given to more mature children and adults, so that the benefits of colostrum can extend well beyond the neonatal period of development.

Bovine colostrum and human colostrum are highly similar in their makeup, both containing many of the same antibodies, immune and growth factors, and other nutrients Because they share so many of the same components, the way they work in the body is also highly similar. The benefit of bovine colostrum for human health has been studied in many areas including:

• Immune Health: Colostrum is composed of a powerful combination of bioactives that support immune health, including immunoglobulins, immune modulators, and oligosaccharides. These bioactives work together to support not only the immune system but have also been shown to support respiratory health in adults and children.
• Digestive Health: Colostrum is composed of a beneficial combination of bioactives that support digestive health, including immunoglobulins, growth factors, and oligosaccharides. These bioactives work together to maintain and support intestinal integrity and improve nutrient absorption, while its naturally occurring prebiotics feed beneficial bacteria and support a balanced gut in adults and children
• Early Life Nutrition: While colostrum and breast milk are a critical part of newborn nutrition, research has shown that colostrum has continued benefits in children over the age of one. As a component in early life nutrition, colostrum can help to support children’s immune systems, soothe digestive upsets, and otherwise support children’s digestive health
• Sports Nutrition: Bovine colostrum contains several bioactives that help support sports nutrition, including immunoglobulins and growth factors. These bioactives combine to help maintain a healthy immune system during the stress during athletic training, while supporting cellular proliferation and restitution as well as protein synthesis and soft tissue repair.