[Ag-eq] Bonny

[Nella Foster]

Zac:

Thanks for telling me about the risk of mastitis by milking a couple drops.
I didn't realize that could be an issue.

Nella
-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Zach via Ag-eq
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2016 3:09 PM
To: 'Agricultural and Equestrean Division List'
Cc: Zach
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Bonny

There was a study done by a Cornell faculty that tried pre-parturition
milking of colostrum. It had some interesting implications but I can't
remember if it had to do with somatic cell or milk yield. Either way, you're
right.  For the calf's sake I wouldn't pre-milk colostrum. It results in the
thin colostrum you mentioned which will not get the calf off to a good
start. 

I would also be very careful about taking any small samples before calving
as that really increases the risk of exposure to mastitis causing pathogens.


Did she get a dry-off therapy, or is this her first calf? My new research
project looks at milk quality on commercial dairy farms in the southeast; so
keep me up to date how things go and if you have questions, I'll do my best
or refer you to someone who knows. :) 


Zac

P.S. I've recently been referred to a blind high school student from
Virginia interested in careers in animal agriculture. If you're from the
state or near-by, and might be interested in advising,  please give me a
shout. 

Zachary Mason
M.S. Student
Animal and Dairy Sciences
Mississippi State University

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Nella Foster via
Ag-eq
Sent: Saturday, July 02, 2016 10:16 AM
To: 'Agricultural and Equestrean Division List' <ag-eq at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Nella Foster <jellybeanfarm at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Ag-eq] Bonny


Jewel:

I milk a drop or 2 out of her to see what it feels like.  Right before birth
the colostrum will be very thick and sticky.  As the young animal nurses the
milk gets thinner until it is regular milk.  When I milk out a drop or 2 now
it is thin and oily, so that means the colostum is not fully formed.  If I
start milking out larger amounts she may not produce the thick sticky milk
which is the most important for the new born calf.

This is how I understood the vets explanation.  He keeps some Jersey cattle
and tells me to leave her alone until she calves.  Then I'm to let the calf
have all it wants for the first few hours.  After that I can start milking
out the colostrum.  She will have more than just one calf needs.  I will
freeze the colostrum and am going to give it to some friends with a ranch.
They can use it for any orphan calves or if a cow doesn't have enough milk.

Nella

-----Original Message-----
From: Ag-eq [mailto:ag-eq-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jewel via Ag-eq
Sent: Friday, July 01, 2016 11:33 PM
To: Agricultural and Equestrean Division List
Cc: Jewel
Subject: [Ag-eq] Bonny

Unless Bonny is having the litter as I suggested she might have been!  if
you were to milk off some colostrum to reduce the possibility of mastitis ,
would she not have ample to feed one calf? after all, the supply is not
static but is being replaced for the first 3 days of the calf's life before
it becomes normal milk.

Jewel 


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