Colostrum and calving systems

[Nyvlingen]

I have just looked at our colostrum protocol and installed the coloquick system which pasteurises/thaws colostrum. I’m wondering how everyone gets on milking freshly calved cows? I struggle to get cows that have just calved to let their milk down. Only getting about 2-3 litres out of them at this stage. It is fine maybe 20 hours later but by then colostrum isn’t testing as well. Do you use oxytocin? Or perhaps it’s because I am trying to milk them in the calving shed with a mobile unit. Maybe I will have to take them to the parlour? Any thoughts? I am struggling to get enough colostrum to keep me going with current calvings. I’d ideally like to create a bank of frozen stuff.

I had the same problem when i bought my coloquick. It takes some time to create a bank. Started to take them to the parlour, works better. But the system is along with the milk taxi by far my best investment!

 

[Cowman31]

So what's everyone doing for colostrum feeding? What is your protocol? Like amount, temp, test, timing, tools, tube or bottle used etc

Also, does anyone have experience block calving a decent size herd with a limited (largely untrained and inexperienced) labor force? I am very unhappy with how calving is going here. Obviously the best way is to have everything prepared before calving and have experienced people available to train everyone. But life is a bitch and it ain't perfect.

So anyone willing to share their ideas and experiences would be welcome.

Current protocol is: Tube calf, put a dot of paint on head. We have those infernal perfect udder colostrum bags. The colostrum is rarely tested and is usually cold unless it's me or one other guy on calf watch. Timing is a crap shoot, calf gets tubed within twelve hours.

Danke

Nothing will feed the calf better than it’s mum. We keep it simple, calf left with mum for 12hours, less chance of a retained gubbins when the calf is left with mum plus I wouldn’t want a plastic tubed rammed down my throat within hours of being born. In some countries it is a legal requirement to leave the calf with the dam for 24 hrs