Colostrum balls.

[Holsteinfriesian90]

Went to a meeting last night and there was a lady there saying about colostrum balls to test the quality of the colostrum I have never heard of them before I thought it was a easy and simple way to test it. Anyone on here use them?

https://www.msschippers.co.uk/ms-colostro-balls-3705010.html

 

[Rachael Kennerley]

Great way to test. Simple to use (only down side is having to fish them back out of the bucket). A lot more accurate than colostrometer as they are less temperature dependent. If you want to be extremely accurate then a refractometer would be better, but for most the colostrum balls are simple and effective

 

[Princess Pooper]

Not come across these before. Looking at the manual on the website, they are re-usable as long as you look after them and clean them, is that right?? I use a colostrometer but I have very clumsy fingers and I am forever dropping it (usually when washing) and even dropping it 2 inches will break it as the glass is quite fragile. Prince Pooper is getting fed up of my repeat breakages so these would be ideal. Comments please

 

[Rachael Kennerley]

Not come across these before. Looking at the manual on the website, they are re-usable as long as you look after them and clean them, is that right?? I use a colostrometer but I have very clumsy fingers and I am forever dropping it (usually when washing) and even dropping it 2 inches will break it as the glass is quite fragile. Prince Pooper is getting fed up of my repeat breakages so these would be ideal. Comments please

Had my set for 3 years and still going strong [emoji106]

 

[coomoo]

Had my set for 3 years and still going strong [emoji106]

Had your set of balls for three years?

 

[bovine]

They look a reasonable idea, my worry is how do you sterilise them and the risk of contamination from sticking your filthy hand in to retrieve them!

They will be just as temperature dependant as a colostometer as they work by the same principal............

My preference is a refractometer (either with a prism or a digital one).

 

[jimmer]

Pinch some milk dippers from tanker driver to fish balls out
Only need to put lowest reading green ball in , if it sinks it's poor quality

 

[Cowski]

Started using a refractometer last year and it’s great, so quick and easy and I would agree with @bovine comment about dipping grubby hand/arms in to retrieve the balls.

 

[Glaswellt]

Where can you buy these?

 

[Princess Pooper]

Where can you buy these?

Online I assume - link in very first post in the thread.

 

[Headless chicken]

Where can you buy these?

Anyone sell You powder should be able to get them. If your buying enough In one hit I would suggest they were “free” Ofcourse not free as nothing in life is free but included within the price

 

[Rachael Kennerley]

Anyone sell You powder should be able to get them. If your buying enough In one hit I would suggest they were “free” Ofcourse not free as nothing in life is free but included within the price

ForFarmers giving a set to new customers buying milk replacer

 

[AWJ26]

Refractometer about £12 on ebay. Very easy to use and clean.

 

[sandywil90]

Anyone sell You powder should be able to get them. If your buying enough In one hit I would suggest they were “free” Ofcourse not free as nothing in life is free but included within the price

Ive got a refractometer you can use!.

 

[sandywil90]

My personal preference over all would be the refractometer. They’re only a few quid on amazon! I’ve seen the colostrum balls in use on farm and safe to say that they were picked out of a bucket with dirty hands and just rinsed under a tap. Hygiene is a must with these things!

 

[Agrispeed]

I was talking to a feed rep who reckoned that the colostrum balls were a waste of time. He didn't't say why though

They probably are not as good as a refractometer, but if its using them over nothing they are surely better than the alternative.

 

[Princess Pooper]

My personal preference over all would be the refractometer. They’re only a few quid on amazon! I’ve seen the colostrum balls in use on farm and safe to say that they were picked out of a bucket with dirty hands and just rinsed under a tap. Hygiene is a must with these things!

I was going to use a slotted spoon. Not difficult really.

 

[sandywil90]

I was going to use a slotted spoon. Not difficult really.

you could use a sieve too

 

[Headless chicken]

you could use a sieve too

My wife may have to have words with you when half her kitchen has disappeared. I stole one whisk and never hear the end of it

 

[sweepdevelopment]

The colostroballs are easy to use and measure the density.
The refractometer measures the sugar content and not the density that is used to determine the quality of the colostrum. Also, the colostroballs are not sensitive to temperature such as the conventional colostrum meter of glass. The glass colostrum meter has much more air and more room to expand, so that the measurement with the colostrum meter of glass is temperature sensitive.
The colostroballs are sold by MS Schippers and are very strong and much more accurate than a refractometer.

TIP:
If you Pour the colostrum in a teat bucket or bottle teat gently the Colostro-Balls remain in the bucket.