McArthur Farms, an 8,500 cow farm located in Okeechobee, Florida, knows the value of herd health to today’s dairy farmer. They also know that the battle for a healthy herd starts with the calves. And when there are up to 600 Holstein calves to take care of each day, it can be quite a fight. That’s why their calves are fed milk, long known to be healthier than milk substitutes. And to reduce the risks of spreading disease, the milk is pasteurized in a Goodnature Calf Milk Pasteurizer.

The farm had used a pasteurizer recycled from a milk plant for years, but after fighting to keep it running, they knew it was going to need to be replaced. They’d seen an ad for the Goodnature pasteurizer, and asked their local dairy equipment dealer to inquire about it. After talking with their dealer and studying the information, the decision was made to purchase a unit.

Kills bacteria prior to feeding
McArthur feeds waste milk that contains some mastitis; the pasteurizer needs to kill all of the bacteria so that the calves get good milk. To verify the Calf Milk Pasteurizer’s efficiency, samples of pasteurized milk were collected over a five day period and sent to a local veterinary laboratory where they were tested for Staphylococcus (Coagulase Positive), Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Corynebacterium bovis. The results showed there was zero cfu/ml for each bacteria tested, which the laboratory says is better than most unpasteurized milk.

Preventing their calves from contracting Johne’s disease played an important role in McArthur’s decision. According to a 1996 study, Johne’s can cost farmers $227 per cow per year. ¹ This $227 is applied to every cow, not just the infected ones. With 8,500 cows, it’s easy to see why they want to control the incurable disease. USDA tests show that flash pasteurization that includes a turbulent milk flow, like the Calf Milk Pasteurizer, will kill Johne’s. ²

Pasteurizer operation.
The Calf Milk Pasteurizer quickly heats the milk to approximately 162º F, holds it at that temperature for a few seconds, and then quickly cools it. This method, known as "flash pasteurization", is the same process used by commercial dairy plants.

The milk flows continuously through the unit in a turbulent motion, unlike batch pasteurizers where the milk is held in a static state while it’s slowly heated and cooled. Milk exits McArthur’s pasteurizer around 90º F, a comfortable temperature for feeding. This temperature can be adjusted using the pasteurizer’s mixing valve.

Better on milk than powdered milk.
According to farm manager John Gilliland, the calves perform "better on milk than powered milk," and even better on pasteurized milk than unpasteurized milk. This, along with knowing the calves are drinking a quality feed free of bacteria, are perhaps the biggest advantages of feeding pasteurized milk.

Being able to keep feed costs under control is another advantage. When milk replacer can cost $1.00 or more per calf per day, it’s easy to see how the costs can add up, especially when there are 600 calves to feed each day. But by using their waste milk, McArthur avoids the recurring milk replacer bills that plague many other dairymen. This can be a crucial savings considering today’s stagnant milk prices.

Prevention key to herd health.
Preventing rather than treating diseases is the preferred method of maintaining herd health. By pasteurizing their calf milk, McArthur Farms is taking a proactive step towards prevention. And that will help them raise healthier cows, which will result in lower health costs and increased milk production. And by not purchasing milk replacer, they are able to keep their feed costs down while raising healthier heifers.