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0-32.0% Brix Refractometer Milk Colostrum Colostrometer ATC

National Industrial Supply

  • $ 5999
  • Save $ 40


Item Description: RHB-32ATCd Portable Brix Milk Colostrum Refractometer, 0-32% Brix - BIG PRINT SCALE FOR EASY READING!

  

Product Specs:

* 0-32% Brix Scale - BIG PRINT SCALE!
* Accurate to +/- 0.20% Brix
* Scale Divisions: 0.20%
* Automatic Temperature Compensation (ATC)
* Sturdy design, made of durable machined Aluminum, not "ABS" plastic - TEN YEAR WARRANTY

Included are: a pipette for dropping test fluids onto the prism (never dip the refractometer into the test fluid!), a mini screwdriver for scale calibration, and a Users Guide.  Comes in a PLASTIC HARD CASE!

  


 

COLOSTRUM TESTING:

In the past, monitoring colostrum quality on-farm has required the use of imprecise and fragile diagnostic tools (i.e., colostrometer), whereas measuring total solids in pasteurized waste milk has required submission of milk samples to laboratories. In recent years, dairies and calf ranches are turning to use of Brix refractometers to estimate Immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentration in maternal colostrum and/or measure and monitor total solids in pasteurized waste milk. Research has shown that IgG levels vary widely from one cow to the next and range from less than 20 to over 100 mg/mL. The difference between 20 and 100 mg/mL of IgG in colostrum can mean the difference between failure and success in passive transfer of immunity. Colostrum containing 50 mg/mL or more of IgG is considered to be a high quality feed for newborn calves. Measurement of IgG concentrations in colostrum can be very useful in managing colostrum quality and monitoring colostrum feeding practices. Brix refractometers can be used on the farm to estimate colostrum IgG, separate high quality colostrum from low quality colostrum, and improve your ability to provide calves with enough IgG to attain successful passive transfer of immunity. Colostrum containing > 50 mg/mL of IgG can be fed to newborn calves or stored for future use. Avoid feeding any other colostrum during the first or second feeding; lower quality colostrum can be mixed with transition milk and fed to calves that are at least two days of age.

* Colostrum Quality

Colostral IgG concentration is the most common measure of colostrum quality. IgG concentration can vary considerably from cow to cow, and ideally, colostrum should be tested for quality to avoid feeding poor quality colostrum. A colostrometer can be used to screen for and segregate low quality colostrum but results can be inaccurate due to colostrum temperature. In addition, the colostrometer itself is not very durable. A Brix refractometer offers significant advantages over a colostrometer because instrument accuracy does not appear to be affected by sample temperature and is considerably more durable (Bielmann et al., 2008, J. Dairy Sci. 91:354).

Research at Bielmann et al. (2010, J. Dairy Sci. 93:3713) determined that a Brix value of 22% is the proper cut-off for determining whether colostrum is of adequate quality (colostrum should measure ≥22%). A Brix value of 22% is equivalent to 50grams/liter IgG, which is where the green (i.e. good quality) zone begins on the colostrometer.

* Managing Total Solids in Pasteurized Waste Milk

Nutrient composition (i.e. total solids, fat, protein) of pasteurized waste milk can be highly variable from day-to-day due to variation in cow population (proportion of fresh vs. treated cows) or inadvertent addition of wash water, thus leading to inconsistent nutrient intake and potentially depressed growth and health in pre-weaned calves. While monitoring actual fat and protein concentrations is difficult, a Brix refractometer can be used to estimate total solids percentage of waste milk. Subsequently, desired total solids of the liquid feed can be achieved through the addition of milk replacer powder.

For determining total solids with a Brix refractometer, the Brix value needs to be converted using as equation established by Moore et al. (2009, J. Dairy Sci. 92:3503). The equation is TS%=0.9984(Brix%) + 2.077, or essentially Brix% + 2.

* Measuring Total Protein in Serum

Typically, clinical refractometers are used to measure the total protein in serum take from the blood of calves. However, an evaluation by Morrill et al. (2013, J. Dairy Sci. 96:4535-4541) showed that the Brix scale could be used to estimate failure of passive transfer in calves and that 7.8% Brix may be used as the cut point.

  • Colostrum Quality: A Brix value of 22% is equivalent to an IgG concentration of 50g/L. Any colostrum used for the first feeding should be ≥22% Brix
  • Milk Total Solids: Total solids%=Brix% + 2. Typical solids % of whole milk is 12.5%.
  • Serum Total Protein: A Brix measurement of blood serum ≥7.8% is a reasonable estimate of 10mg/mL of IgG which is the accepted definition of effective passive transfer.



National Industrial Supply

30777 Rancho California #891420
Temecula, CA 92589, USA
Sales: 951.308.9269
Fax: 310.733.5480
E-mail: nisupply@gmail.com - Website: www.nisupply.com


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