Colostrum on hand

[Lenny]

I'm just wondering how many collect Colostrum from their own Mares. It seems that Colostrum is getting in short supply and collecting it could be a life saver.

[Renae]

I don't have any right now as I used it for the last foal we had last year as the foal the year before that which that mare had suffered from FPT, so just wanted to be extra sure so gave what I had to that foal this year.

Thanks for bringing this up though! I need to buy a new stainles steel milking pail. I get a regular dairy one and keep it sterile and use it for nothing else, and the one I had someone decided it would also make a good pail for window washing :mad:

[ticofuzzy]

I always have some stocked up in my freezer just in case. I milk it from my good milking mares if they have had a normal birth and freeze it.

[Hillside H Ranch]

We have a good supply, replenished yearly.

[Home Again Farm]

I collect from mares whose colostrum tests high and who have had normal foalings. :yes:

[krfarms]

I have a mare that starts to drop her milk 30 days before she foals, so by the time she actually foals there is no "good stuff" left. I usually collect her milk when I think it has the right consistancy and she has alot as she is a good producer. I think I still have some frozen at the vet clinic from 2005!!--That year they had a shortage and I supplied alot, and still had some left over. (yes, the clinic checks it before they freeze it) then everyone knows it is good.

[Renae]

I know you can check your colostrum with an antifreeze tester, does anyone remebr how many of the beads are supposed to float? I forget.

I wonder too what the very best way of freezing milk is. I know they freeze sheeps milk quite a bit at small sheep dairies until they have enough to make a batch of cheese, I'm sure they have figured out what is the best way to freeze milk while damaging it the least.

Also reheating milk- i was told once not to reheat it in the microwave as that will change the milk, that you should thaw it in the refigerator and then heat it in a double boiler or by putting the bottle into a pot of warm water. Is this true?

[Home Again Farm]

For me to save a mare's colostrum all the balls in the antifreeze tester will float. Always thaw frozen colostrum in warm water (suspend it in the water double bagged) very gradually. A microwave will ruin the antibodies.

[HFSH]

I've got several bottles frozen from last year. The year before that I"d given my last bottles away to the vet school for a foal with a sick dam.

[Lenny]

I'v been checking around and some of the places that had Colostrum in previous years are either in short supply or don't have any.I know that in some cases, people would call for a Nursemare and would need Colostrum also. Sandy would call other suppliers closer to the foal, because it would take to many hours to get there. Checkng into this, some of these Colostrum Banks are either in short suppy or don't keep Colostrum anymore.Cyderfoal don't have any listed. I asked why they don't collect colostrum anymore? Was told that the call for it was down and people thought they should give it away. People useing alternatives etc. Not good, There has to be Colostrum Banks around with good supplies. The Foals need it. Alternatives arn't the answer. I see some here collect their mares colostrum. Thats great. More should do it

[ShowjumpersUSA]

Anyone know what people usually charge for colostrum? Just curious...

[Lenny]

I really don't know what others charge,But I think Sandy was chargeing $40.00 for 8 oz bag. Her Coostrum Bank is broke. She sent the last of her supply out to Cal. just a few weeks ago.

[Home Again Farm]

In the past when I have needed some and vet clinics that I use had it on hand it was given freely. In the same spirit, when I have had some to spare it was given to friends who needed it.

[Tasker]

One local practice charges $150 for an 8 ounce container...another $100.

We have a stockpile set aside and I will milk the girls as they foal again this year. If anyone ever needs some and you're local, please just let me know.

[Lenny]

I told Sandy (so many years ago it now makes me shutter) Why shouldn't you charge a good fee. After all, who else do you know that will sit under a Mare at 3:00 Am in the morning,has the knowledge of milking and collecting colostrum, freezing, tired. Why not? As far as Vets go, I've never seen them give away anything. Its added in somewhere. I think if people can't collect the colostrum from their own Mares, then they can pay the price. Its nice to help out a friend or local, but after that. In my last post I made a mistake, Sandy now charges $50.00 a 8 oz bag. and sends it all over the USA Fed X. I see here that there are some that collect, but I bet, a small percentage of the amount that read this.

[Renae]

Keeping on the colostrum theme what does everyone feel is the best way to give colostrum to a foal that may need it?

[kmp2707]

I have a mare that starts to drop her milk 30 days before she foals, so by the time she actually foals there is no "good stuff" left. I usually collect her milk when I think it has the right consistancy and she has alot as she is a good producer. I think I still have some frozen at the vet clinic from 2005!!--That year they had a shortage and I supplied alot, and still had some left over. (yes, the clinic checks it before they freeze it) then everyone knows it is good.

My mare has a history of dripping milk for up to 3 weeks as well. Should I be collecting ahead of time....when (if) it tests good? I had never thought to collect her prior to foaling. Her last foal was deficient, but my vet gave me a name of a local gal who regularly collects.

[Lenny]

Len told me he posted on this thread. I thought I would come in and say a bit.
I've been collecting colostrum for a long time and I still learn more. I steal what the mare will give me in one teat, prior to the foal nursing the first time. The reason is simple, she knows the difference between me and the foal and generally will not let her milk down as readily after the foal has nursed. If you only use one teat the foal still has the other one. I milk what I can in a plastic cup. Now here is where it gets critical. The milk should be processed immediatly. I strain it thru a mastatis screen(very fine) this filters oui the stuff you do not want in the milk. I've talked to some and they use a gauze pad. I measure the milk and if possible package it in 12 oz servings in zip lock freezer pint bags.
Now as I stated earlier I keep learning. A couple years I read an article posted on Cyberfoal, by a Vet. She stated that nature is a great thing. For those of you worring about the mare that drips milk weeks before foaling. She usually does not lose a lot of antibodies cause nature adds them the last 24-48 hours prior to foaling.
I don't save milk from drippers or family members of NI mares. As far as the thickness or thinness of the first milk(MY OPINION)as long as it is sticky the antibobies are there. Thin colostrum is better that none.

All of you foaling one or two mares or more should be collecting the colostrum. The antibodies also include the immunities to your own farm.

Yes I charge for it. This year I went up to $50/12 oz bag. Like len said get up and collect it or pay for it. Oh I forgot the mares get their shots 4-6 weeks before foaling. Sandy