Recorded live at the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) 2026 Meeting, this episode features Giovanna Evangelista, master’s student at the University of Florida, and her advisor, Dr. José Santos, Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Florida. In this Student Showcase: Genetic influence on Colostrum Yield & Composition is a focal topic as they discuss Giovanna’s poster, “Phenotypic and Genetic Associations with Colostrum Yield and Composition in Dairy Cows.” The conversation covers which cow- and calf-level factors, nutrient intake and genetics influence colostrum production, helping answer common producer questions about colostrum yield and quality.
Episode 222: Student Showcase: Genetic influence on Colostrum Yield & Composition
Timestamps:
What determines how much colostrum a dairy cow produces, and can nutrition before calving actually influence colostrum yield and quality? In this episode of the Real Science Exchange, researchers explore new findings on the biological, nutritional and genetic factors associated with colostrum production in dairy cows.
The conversation examines data from more than 4,000 animals across 11 experiments and 38 treatments. It reveals important relationships between colostrum yield, cow characteristics, prepartum nutrition, genetics and subsequent lactation performance. Additionally, the discussion also explores unanswered questions surrounding colostrum IgG concentration and immunoglobulin transfer. It highlights opportunities for future dairy cattle research.
A Research Journey from Brazil to the University of Florida
The episode opens with introductions and the story behind Giovanna’s path into dairy science research. Dr. Santos, who has been at the University of Florida for almost 20 years, explains the academic connections that ultimately brought Giovanna to Florida. Moreover, her undergraduate mentor at the University of São Paulo was a friend of Dr. Santos from graduate school at the University of Arizona. Giovanna arrived highly recommended following an externship at the University of Georgia. 00:00–03:06
Evaluating the Factors That Affect Colostrum Production
Giovanna explains the study design used to identify factors associated with colostrum yield, fat and IgG. The data set included more than 4,000 animals from 11 experiments and 38 treatments.
Researchers initially evaluated approximately 21 phenotypic factors, including calving season, parity, dry period length, calf birth body weight, cow body weight, retained placenta and metritis. Factors meeting the initial statistical criteria moved forward into models evaluating colostrum yield, fat and IgG. 03:07–05:01
What Influences Colostrum Yield in Dairy Cows?
The results revealed several factors associated with colostrum yield in dairy cattle. Cows produced more colostrum during the fall and summer. Additionally, multiparous cows produced more colostrum, and longer dry periods were positively associated with yield.
One of the more surprising findings involved prepartum nutrient intake. Dry matter intake, metabolizable protein intake and net energy intake were not significantly associated with colostrum yield. The analysis also found that cows producing more colostrum performed better during the first 10 weeks of the following lactation. 05:02–06:52
Does Feeding More Protein Before Calving Improve Colostrum Yield?
The findings raise an important question about a common approach to prepartum dairy cow nutrition: Should producers simply feed more protein when colostrum production is lower than desired?
Dr. Santos explains that cows consuming 800 grams of metabolizable protein showed no difference in colostrum yield compared with cows consuming 1,400 grams. Instead, one of the most interesting findings was the apparent genetic component of colostrum production.
The moderate to high heritability observed in the data suggests the possibility of selecting cows for improved colostrum yield and composition. Furthermore, it could mean treating colostrum production as a trait distinct from milk yield. 06:53–10:11
Understanding Colostrum IgG and Immunoglobulin Transfer
The conversation then turns to the biology behind IgG in dairy cow colostrum. An important unanswered question is whether colostrum IgG comes exclusively from maternal blood. Alternatively, plasma cells within the mammary gland may also contribute.
Giovanna discusses plans to use RNA sequencing to investigate whether a missing Fc receptor may help explain why IgG does not cross the ruminant placenta. Additionally, future nutritional studies could also help determine whether specific nutrients influence colostrum IgG concentration and quality. 10:12–13:01
What’s Next for Colostrum Research?
Looking ahead, Giovanna shares her plans to pursue a PhD and potentially build a career in the U.S. dairy industry. Dr. Santos also highlights several areas where more research is needed. These areas include immunoglobulin transporters in the ruminant placenta and the biological processes involved in colostrum formation.
These research gaps create new opportunities to better understand the relationship between dairy cow nutrition, genetics, colostrum yield and colostrum quality. Ultimately, these findings help the dairy industry make more informed decisions about transition cow management. 13:02
Conclusion
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