Digital Dairy Refractometer – Colostrum Quality and Milk Solids – MISCO DD-1 Refractometer

The DD-1 Digital-Dairy Refractometer will directly read the percent solids in waste milk and can also measure colostrum quality using the Brix method. 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.

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-1 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.

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.