How soon after a cow gives birth does her milk get sold?

Last updated 17/01/2024

The first milk a cow produces after calving is called colostrum. Colostrum contains the antibodies and white blood cells needed to support the calf's immune system until its own develops. Colostrum also contains a high percentage of fat and protein, which make it quite thick and yellow.

After this first-milking colostrum is collected, a cow will transition to making normal milk over the next four days (it becomes whiter and less thick) and will then join the milking herd.

Colostrum and transition milk don't go into the farm’s milk vat to be collected by a milk factory.