Colostrum does not need to be stirred every day, but it should be stirred thoroughly before it is used as feed so that the fat, curds, and whey are adequately mixed. Fermented colostrum should not be stored longer than fourteen to thirty days. If allowed to set too long, fermented colostrum does not necessarily injure calves, but the quality of its protein and other nutrients may be substantially reduced. In addition, the older colostrum is, the more pronounced its odor. The best procedure is to store colostrum in containers small enough to be empty within a month.
Many people add a small amount of acid preservative to each container of fermented colostrum.
This practice reduces spoilage and odor in the summer and makes colostrum last longer. Colostrum containers should be thoroughly washed and sanitized before being refilled. Mold that forms on the surface of the fermenting material or on the sides of the containers should be skimmed off and discarded. Research at The Pennsylvania State University indicates that satisfactory growth may be expected at this dilution rate. No more than 8 to 10 pounds of the mixture per day should be fed during the first week.