The ascertainment of bacterial contemination of cow colostrum with the development of a feeding device

Abstract

Modern methods of intensive livestock farming raise new issues regarding the viability and productivity of animals. The first hours and days of a calf’s life are of the most important. During this period the animal is adapting to new living conditions. The calf is born devoid of specific protective antibodies, and it receives them only with colostrum. Colostrum is the most complete food for a calf in the first period of its life. It is rich in all necessary nutrients, contains much more protein (by 5 times), minerals (by 2 times) and vitamins A and D (by 5 times) than milk. Colostrum contains a large number of immune bodies that protect the newborn’s body from pathogens of infectious diseases. The article aims to ascertain the bacterial contamination of cow colostrum and its effect on calves with the development of a feeding device. To achieve this goal, the following tasks were solved: to determine the number of microorganisms in native colostrum and after storage of it in the freezer; to develop a device for feeding calves on colostrum. The quantity of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms and psychrotrophic microorganisms in native colostrum and in the colostrum after storage at a temperature of (-18±2)˚C for a month was determined in compliance with standard methods according to the State Standards: DSTU IDF 122C:2003 Milk and dairy products. Preparation of samples and dilutions for microbiological research; DSTU IDF 100B:2003 Milk and dairy products. Determination of the number of microorganisms. Method of counting colonies at a temperature of 30˚C; DSTU 7357:2013 Milk and dairy products. Methods of microbiological control; DSTU ISO 6730:2006 (IDF 101:2005) Milk. Method for counting colonies of psychrotrophic microorganisms that form colonies at a temperature of 6.5°C. During the research it was found that the level of bacterial contamination of colostrum, collected under appropriate conditions and in compliance with the rules, and its subsequent storage at a temperature of -18±2ºC in the frozen state, is reduced by 300-1200 times. In addition, the number of psychrophilic microorganisms increases by 8.5 times on the 30th day of incubation. It has been proved that the content of psychrophilic microorganisms in freshly milked colostrum up to 5 thous. CFU/cm³ can be considered an important veterinary and hygienic standard of quality and safety, which characterizes the applicability of colostrum for cooling and storage. In order to let calves eat colostrum by themselves, a device has been developed that ensures the consumption of colostrum in accordance with physiological norms. Thus, the animal independently and calmly sucks portions of colostrum, while satisfying its innate sucking reflexes.