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Feeding calves infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
Milk that has the lowest risk of containing M. bovis bacteria comes in these forms: calf milk replacer powder, acidified milk, or pasteurised milk.
If you're feeding whole milk, consider the following:
Advice for acidifying milk
Do not acidify below pH 4 as this will result in thickened milk and risks complete coagulation. Calves will not drink milk with a pH of 4 or below.
Milk must be less than 24°C to minimise coagulation or clot formation.
Always add acid to milk, not milk to acid.
When using citric acid, the rate is 5.5g citric acid per litre of whole milk, or 550g per litres of whole milk, or 5.5kg per 1000L of whole milk. The acid needs to be sprinkled on top of the milk while it is being agitated.
Milk at pH 5 and below separates, but with gentle mixing goes back into a homogenous solution. Gentle mixing of the milk twice a week is the recommended method. Continuous or vigorous mixing causes coagulation.
Use pH strips or an electronic pH meter. Note meters must be kept clean and calibrated when working with milk.
Systems that pipe milk may have coagulation in the pipes/tubes causing blockage of lines and nipples. This may result in the feeding of "whey" to calves.
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