Richard, do you test colostrum to ensure the antibody level is ok for calves? Just because its nice and yellow means not a lot- it can be a v poor quality and reverse a white thin looking 1st milking can be excellent. I was ignorant on colostrum quality until probably 15 years ago after loosing calves early in life- even though i made sure theyd sucked or fed them via a tube. Started testing, using 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th lactation cows, that calved ok, no mastitis, milk fever etc as that reduces quality and quality in older cows generally decreases also. I was surprised by the results- i used to freeze spare colostrum, thaw it out gently if i had no fresh to feed and tube feed them, 3 litres, job done. Calf health was way better afterwards, growth rates, yields on lactations. Defo worse investigating and trying- testing is easy, no extra hastle.
You've raised an incredibly important point, and I wholeheartedly agree. The visual appearance of colostrum can indeed be misleading, and relying solely on color to gauge quality is not enough. Like you, we've also learned through experience the critical role that testing plays in ensuring the health and development of calves. At our operation, we've implemented colostrum testing to measure antibody levels, much like the practices you've described. We've seen first hand how a more scientific approach to evaluating colostrum quality-beyond just the first glance-can make a substantial difference in calf health and overall herd performance. Your mention of using colostrum from cows in their 2nd to 5th lactation, and ensuring they're free from conditions that could degrade colostrum quality, resonates with our findings too. We've also adopted the practice of freezing spare colostrum for future use, ensuring it's thawed properly to preserve its quality. This approach has not only improved the health and growth rates of our calves but also the efficiency of our colostrum management practices. Your insights are invaluable, and it's clear how such measures can transform calf rearing into a more successful and rewarding endeavour. Testing colostrum has indeed been a game-changer for us, minimizing risks and enhancing outcomes with no significant extra hassle. Thank you for sharing your experience; it's a powerful reminder of the importance of continual learning and improvement in our practices. I have just displayed the basics in the video and may make a more detailed video on the the subject. Thank you so much for your comments. Richard
Thank you so much 😀 im just about to watch your video Charlotte. On our big telly. If your ever passing or closre to our farm. Your very welcome to call in. Good luck wih your ongoing build. Its really good to watch. I know how demanding it is. 👍
