Digital BRIX refractometer Milwaukee

The digital BRIX refractometer is the most widely used quality assurance instrument in calf husbandry on farms worldwide. It is manufactured in the USA, in the Dairy State of Wisconsin in the city of Milwaukee, whose name the device bears. This handy and robust refractometer can be used to measure both colostrum and blood serum. It is therefore a very reliable and convenient alternative to optical measuring devices. The accuracy is sensational and the result is displayed digitally after just a few seconds. Then rinse with distilled water and absorb the residual fluid with a Zewat swab and dry - done!

The device also sets standards in terms of price: While many other providers charge well over 200 euros and more, the Milwaukee 871 is currently available for less than 160 euros net. However, the price should be secondary when it comes to the benefits, because:
The continuous measurement of colostrum quality on the one hand and the transfer of antibodies into the blood on the other provides very important information about the immune system of cows and calves. Experts estimate the potential of these measures at between 1000 and 2000 euros. According to the latest studies (Stefanska et al., 2021), a successful transfer of immunoglobulins alone can identify calves that achieve an 1149 kg higher energy-corrected milk yield in their later first lactation. These calves achieved at least 60 g/l total protein in the blood (which corresponds to around 9.0 % BRIX).