New Zealand is a popular source of colostrum because its dairy herds are predominantly pasture-fed and its export dairy sector is tightly regulated. Pasture made up about 81% of NZ dairy cows' diet in 2017–18, and colostrum is regulated under the Animal Products Act 1999, with export processors running registered, independently verified risk management programmes.
Key takeaways
- NZ dairy cows are predominantly pasture-fed: pasture was about 81% of their diet in 2017–18, down from 96% in 1990–91 (DairyNZ for MPI, 2019).
- Colostrum is regulated as an animal product in New Zealand under the Animal Products Act 1999 (MPI, 2012).
- Export processors operate registered risk management programmes that are independently verified.
- Origin is one quality factor; collection, processing and testing matter too, as commercial products vary up to six-fold in bioactivity (Playford and Weiser, 2021).
What does "pasture-fed" mean for New Zealand cows?
New Zealand's dairy system is built around grazing. Cows spend much of their lives outdoors eating grass and other pasture, with supplementary feeds used to fill gaps, for example when pasture growth slows.
A report prepared by DairyNZ for the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) estimated that pasture made up about 81% of the feed consumed by NZ dairy cows in the 2017–18 season. That's lower than the 96% recorded in 1990–91, as the use of supplementary feeds has grown (DairyNZ for MPI, 2019).
So the accurate description is that NZ herds are predominantly pasture-fed, not exclusively. We think it's better to tell you that plainly than to promise something the data doesn't support. MUUU's label reflects where our colostrum comes from: "Grass fed: sourced from pasture-raised New Zealand cows".
How is colostrum regulated in New Zealand?
New Zealand treats colostrum as a regulated animal product. According to MPI's New Zealand Bovine Colostrum Factsheet (2012):
- Bovine colostrum is regulated under the Animal Products Act 1999, the same framework that covers other animal products such as dairy and meat.
- Processors producing colostrum for export operate registered risk management programmes.
- Those programmes are independently verified, meaning a third party checks that processors are doing what their programme says.
MPI is New Zealand's government agency responsible for food safety and the primary industries, so this oversight sits with a regulator, not just with individual brands or processors.
For shoppers, this means NZ colostrum sold for export sits within an official food-safety and verification system, rather than relying only on a brand's own checks.
Does origin affect colostrum quality?
Origin is part of the story, but it isn't the only factor. Colostrum quality varies naturally from cow to cow and from milking to milking. Reported IgG levels in bovine colostrum range from 30 to 87 g/L, with more than 50 g/L considered high quality (Playford and Weiser, 2021).
What happens after collection matters just as much:
- Timing. Colostrum is generally collected up to about day 3 after calving, and the first milking is the most concentrated (Playford and Weiser, 2021).
- Heat. Commercial colostrum is typically batch pasteurised at 60–63°C (Playford and Weiser, 2021). IgG starts to be affected above about 65°C (Bogahawaththa et al., 2017), and one review noted some pasteurisation methods cut IgG by around 60% (Davison, 2021).
- Dilution. Blends with fillers or other ingredients contain less colostrum per gram.
Put together, these factors explain why commercial colostrum products can vary up to six-fold in bioactivity (Playford and Weiser, 2021). A country of origin on its own doesn't tell you everything, which is why our colostrum buying guide suggests looking at the whole label.
What should I look for on an NZ colostrum label?
| What to check | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | A clear statement of where the colostrum comes from | Tells you which regulatory system it was produced under |
| Feeding claims | Accurate wording such as "pasture-raised" or "grass fed" | NZ herds are predominantly, not exclusively, pasture-fed |
| Ingredients | 100% colostrum, or a clearly listed blend | Fillers reduce colostrum per serve |
| Amount per serve | Colostrum in milligrams | Research doses were often 10–20 g a day (Davison, 2021) |
| Testing | A brand willing to answer questions about IgG and batch testing | Products vary up to six-fold in bioactivity |
Where does MUUU colostrum come from?
MUUU colostrum is sourced from pasture-raised New Zealand cows. Our products are made and distributed by Mayn Enterprise Pty Ltd, an Australian company.
MUUU Colostrum Powder is 100% pure bovine colostrum with no other ingredients: no additives, fillers or artificial ingredients. One level teaspoon (2 g) provides 2,000 mg of colostrum and has a mild, creamy, milky taste. Prefer capsules? MUUU Colostrum Capsules give 1,000 mg per two-capsule serve. Research doses were often 10–20 g a day, more than one standard serve, so always follow the label directions.
For an introduction to colostrum itself, read what is bovine colostrum? or our Colostrum 101 guide. Kiwi cows, Aussie company, and nothing added. Udderly straightforward.
FAQs
Is all New Zealand colostrum 100% grass-fed?
Not necessarily. NZ dairy herds are predominantly pasture-fed, with pasture making up about 81% of their diet in 2017–18 (DairyNZ for MPI, 2019). The rest comes from supplementary feeds.
Is NZ colostrum better than colostrum from other countries?
We're not aware of good-quality studies directly comparing colostrum by country. New Zealand offers pasture-based farming and a regulated export system, but collection, processing and testing affect quality too.
Is New Zealand colostrum pasteurised?
Commercial colostrum is typically batch pasteurised at 60–63°C, a gentler temperature chosen to help protect heat-sensitive proteins like IgG (Playford and Weiser, 2021). Ask your brand if you'd like details for a specific product.
References
- DairyNZ for the Ministry for Primary Industries. Feed Consumed by NZ Dairy Cows. 2019. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/46231-Feed-Consumed-by-NZ-Dairy-Cows
- Ministry for Primary Industries. New Zealand Bovine Colostrum Factsheet. 2012. https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/20675-New-Zealand-Bovine-Colostrum-Factsheet
- Playford RJ, Weiser MJ. Bovine colostrum: its constituents and uses. Nutrients. 2021;13(1):265. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/1/265
- Bogahawaththa D, et al. Food Hydrocolloids. 2017;72:350–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2017.06.017
- Davison G. The use of bovine colostrum in sport and exercise. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1789. https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/1789
This article is general information, not medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.
