High Coliform Counts in Colostrum, Again
Our lab here at the Attica Vet clinic often cultures colostrum samples for bacteria. Plates came out of the incubator on Monday morning (they were plated on Saturday for a 48-hour incubation period).
Overgrown with coliforms!
Is it "normal" to have a high coliform count in colostrum? NO NO NO!
Is it possible to achieve low (under 5,000cfu/ml) coliform counts in colostrum? YES YES YES!
Here is the link to a case study for a dairy experiencing high coliform counts in the colostrum. And, YES, this dairy was successful in dropping their high counts to really low values. Most importantly, the counts are still low 5 years later!
Link is HERE.
If the link does not work for you the URL is
http://atticacows.com/library/newsletters/ColostrumMgtCaseStudyN18184.pdf
Enjoy.