Study Finds Disparities in Dairy Calf Feeding
Beef-on-dairy and bull calves receive less colostrum than dairy heifers, according to new research from Wisconsin.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Organic Food
Live Poll
Should dairy farmers provide the same colostrum quality to all calves regardless of their market value?
University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension researchers found that beef-on-dairy and dairy bull calves often receive lower quality and smaller quantities of colostrum than retained dairy heifers. The study analyzed colostrum feeding records from over 2,900 calves across 27 Wisconsin dairy farms.
Why it matters
Colostrum is vital for providing newborns with essential antibodies, and differences in feeding practices can impact long-term health. These findings highlight a discrepancy in early-life care that often stems from the lower market value of bull and beef-on-dairy calves compared to replacement heifers.
This study analyzed colostrum feeding records from 2,934 calves across 27 Wisconsin dairy farms. The results showed that beef-on-dairy and dairy bull calves consistently received smaller volumes and lower quality colostrum later in life than retained dairy heifers.
The players
University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension
An educational branch of the university that provides research-based agricultural information and services to farmers.
The details
Colostrum provides passive immunity, delivering critical immunoglobulins that protect newborns from disease. On the farms studied, researchers observed that bull calves and beef-on-dairy calves—which are typically sired by beef breeds like Angus, Limousin, and Simmental—often receive second feedings of colostrum less frequently and in lower amounts than dairy heifers. Because these calves have different economic pathways than replacement heifers, their early nutritional management often differs significantly.
Timeline
The analysis of colostrum feeding practices took place over a yearlong study period.
Health Landscape
The findings reflect how long-standing economic priorities continue to influence standard nutritional practices on modern dairy operations. This research updates our understanding of how market value creates disparate care practices for different calf populations.
While this study focuses on agricultural practices, it underscores the importance of adequate early nutrition for neonatal immune development. Readers interested in dairy product quality and farm welfare should consult with local dairy producers about their specific calf-rearing protocols.
The takeaway
Early nutrition sets the foundation for immune health, and research reveals significant gaps in how different calf populations receive colostrum. Consumers can track these shifts by following updates from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension regarding dairy management standards.
Further reading
Learn more about the standards for Organic Food practices in dairy production.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Farm Progress.
Live Poll
Should dairy farmers provide the same colostrum quality to all calves regardless of their market value?
