Comparison of the use a refractometer and colostrometry to estimate the quality of colostrum in dairy cows

Colostrum is the first mammary secretion and is the only way in which calves can obtain passive immunity. This study aimed to correlate the quality of colostrum from high -yielding dairy cows using either a colostrometer or Brix digital refractometry (degrees Bx). Samples (N=340) of colostrum were taken from cows and analyzed with a colostrometer and Brix refractometry. A linear regression was performed, the coefficient of determination (R (2 )) was calculated. All statistical analyzes were done with the SPSS 25.0 statistical package. Means with colostrometer were 87.94 +/- 110, while with Brix refractometer they were 26.19 +/- 18, with R- 2 0.706 and a P<0.0001. In conclusion, the refractometer and the colostrometer are effective methods to determine immunoglobulins. Brix refractometer had an acceptable correlation, which could be a useful tool for verifying the colostrum's quality next to the cow.