Digital Dairy Refractometer – Colostrum – Serum Total Protein – Milk Solids – Hydration – MISCO DD-3 Refractometer

The DD-3 Digital-Dairy Refractometer will provide reliable estimates of colostrum quality (Brix method), blood serum protein concentration, percent solids in waste milk, and calf hydration. The MISCO Digital-Dairy™ refractometers are specifically designed to help professional dairy farmers and calf ranchers to rear healthy calves. They are rugged enough to withstand the demands of farm use, yet precise enough to give laboratory-quality readings.

Calf ranchers and dairy farmers will immediately recognize the importance of colostrum quality. Digital-Dairy DD-3 refractometer can test for colostrum quality using the Brix method. A measure of blood serum protein concentration level can be used as an indication of IgG passive transfer. Blood samples must be spun in a centrifuge, or allowed to sit undisturbed for 24 hours, to separate the plasma from the whole blood before testing on the refractometer.

Nonsalable waste milk has been fed to calves for many years and represents a source of nutrition that is readily available, has few other uses, and is cheaper to feed than whole milk. However, solids content and bacteria levels are two problems associated with waste milk feeding. Since the DD-3 Digital-Dairy refractometer reads directly in solids content, it only takes a few drops of milk to quickly determine the percent solids and adjust them to desired levels with calf milk replacer. Another quick test for bacterial contamination and milk spoilage can be conducted using a pH meter, also available from MISCO.

Mild dehydration can occur without symptoms until it is nearly too late. Whether due to scours or other causes, calves can lose up to six percent of their body weight in fluid before there is any visual indication of dehydration. If dehydration is caught early enough, fluid therapy can reverse it, but the key is catching it early. The large-animal urine specific gravity scale, on the DD-3 Digital-Dairy refractometer, can be used quickly identify at-risk calves.

For any test, only a couple drops of sample are necessary to fill the Digital-Dairy’s stainless-steel sample well. The sapphire measuring surface, the next hardest substance to diamond, will withstand years of wear and tear. A simple user-friendly interface consists of two buttons: one to take readings and the other to step through various menu options. A large 24-character back lit LCD display is easily read, even in dim light, while an evaporation cover helps prevent evaporation and keeps out stray light.

Protection against inaccurate readings due to temperature differences, a major concern with refractometer measurements, is assured with nonlinear temperature compensation. Temperature compensation is automatic for fluids read between 10 and 40 °C (+50 to 104 °F). Digital-Dairy refractometers can be simply calibrated with water.

Be sure to download your free copy of, “MISCO Digital-Dairy Refractometers – Managing Waste Milk Solids, Colostrum Quality, and Dehydration in Dairy Calves.”

MISCO Refractometers are made in the USA. MISCO is a proud member of the Dairy Calf and Heifer Association & supporter of the Ohio Farm Bureau.