Sanitation Matters for Everything that Touches Milk Replacer

Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that can cause the biggest problems when you’re trying to raise healthy calves.

Bacteria are our foe at every twist and turn in milk replacer’s pathway from the bagful of powder to the calf’s mouth. Even skipping a couple of sanitation steps for a few days, or failing to properly wash one piece of equipment, can lead to an outbreak of sick, scouring calves that may take weeks to reverse.

You might think sanitation only matters for the vessels used to actually feed calves, but literally any and every piece of equipment that touches milk replacer solution needs sanitation attention. Here are some common sources of potential bacterial contamination:

1. Biofilm

Any surface on which moisture is present is a target for the accumulation of biofilm. It’s that sticky, slimy substance you might feel on the inside of calf bottles or the inner ridge of nipples. Biofilm is a haven for bacteria and can be challenging to get rid of once it’s established. It also may be so thin that it is not detectable by the human eye. Physical scrubbing and a regular, full sequence of sanitation treatments are necessary to keep biofilm at bay. Visually inspect all milk contact surfaces at least once a week for biofilm buildup.

2. Pipelines

Pipelines transporting prepared milk replacer should be made of glass or stainless steel. A common and troubling error is using PVC pipe instead. While very affordable, PVC pipe joints are not sanitary and will allow bacteria to set up shop, making it a more costly choice in the long run.

3. Hoses

If hoses are used to move prepared milk replacer, make sure they are sanitary and will withstand the range of temperatures you will expose them to while cleaning and sanitizing. For autofeeders, it’s best to use disposable, clear, plastic tubing, and replace it regularly. Most people with autofeeders find it is far more affordable to routinely dispose of and replace tubing than to deal with the consequences of sick calves. Also, never run water or milk replacer through a garden hose. Nearly all garden hoses do not stand up to hot water temperatures and are prone to crack open in the internal layers becoming a hotbed of bacterial infestation.

4. Bottles, pails, and nipples

All feeding equipment -- including any surface touched by milk replacer -- should be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized with a multi-step method similar to the processes used to maintain milking equipment. It starts with running 110-120°F rinse water over and through the equipment until the water runs clear. Next, clean with detergent and hot water at the suppliers recommended temperature and scrub any open surfaces. Remember to discharge the detergent solution before the temperature falls under 110°F or the fatty acids will stick to the surface again. Next, finish with a sanitizing rinse at the supplier’s advised water temperature. Finally – and perhaps the most crucial step of all – let everything dry completely, to break up the friendship between moisture and bacteria. Ideally, this routine should be executed after every feeding. If that’s not practical, do it at least once a day, with rinsing and scrubbing taking place after every feeding. Your supplier of milking equipment sanitation products can offer advice on the best detergents and sanitizers for your calf operation. As you make those choices, be sure to consider the hardness of your water, and adjust chemical quantities accordingly.

5. Mixing tools

Don’t forget about tools, like wire whisks, mixing propellers, transfer hoses, scoops, and/or mixing tanks and transfer pumps, that are used to prepare milk replacer at every feeding. If allowed to remain dirty, they become the perfect vector to transfer bacteria from batch to batch of milk replacer. Use the same cleaning procedure as you do for your bottles, pails, and nipples.

6. Esophageal feeders

Unlike daily feeding equipment, esophageal feeders likely have intermittent use, which means they may not be subjected to regular cleaning protocols. They also are used to feed young and sick animals, making their sanitation critically important. So put these feeders through the same cleaning process as your regular feeding tools. And, because their interior surfaces are difficult to physically scrub, replace them often.

7. Be safe!

All cleaning products are dangerous!  Wear proper safety glasses, gloves, and protective clothing when handling.  Keep chemicals away from children.

Just as every piece of equipment is important for optimal sanitation, so too is every person who prepares the milk replacer and feeds the calves, whether regularly or occasionally. Written protocols, presented in the workers’ language and using plenty of pictures, will help to ensure consistency. These tools also are valuable when onboarding new employees, and for refresher training sessions.

It may seem tedious and time-consuming to keep up with calf equipment sanitation. But, with well-prepared protocols and consistent training, these proactive steps can quickly become second-nature routines. And they definitely are easier to manage than sick calves!

---

RECENT POST

---