Author Topic: How to store opened bag of milk replacer? (Read 4495 times)

OhLaLa · « **on:** February 29, 2012, 09:38:53 am »

I have a 10kg opened bag of milk replacer, is there a way to store it so that it can be kept fresh and the remainder used next year?

tizaala · « **Reply #1 on:** February 29, 2012, 09:47:03 am »

Get one of those plastic storage bags for clothes that you can vacuum the air out of , that should hold it for a while, or, take it to your local friendly butcher and ask him to vacuum seel it for you.

robert waddell · « **Reply #2 on:** February 29, 2012, 09:47:51 am »

no way will it be usefull next year it will get mited you see the powder moving

kanisha · « **Reply #3 on:** February 29, 2012, 10:27:16 am »

put it in plastic bags and put it in the freezer thats what Iv'e done and it comes out ready to use and no mites

OhLaLa · « **Reply #4 on:** February 29, 2012, 10:36:54 am »

Quote from: kanisha on February 29, 2012, 10:27:16 am

put it in plastic bags and put it in the freezer thats what Iv'e done and it comes out ready to use and no mites

That sounds like a good idea. Just to make sure I get it right, you just put the powder into freezer bags, you don't make it up first?

How long is it ok for in the freezer?

kanisha · « **Reply #5 on:** February 29, 2012, 11:57:16 am »

Hi no don't make it up first I wouldn't like to guess how long its valid for use for but certainly have kept it for use the next year and not had any problems that said I'm sue you could argue the vitamin content may not be good

Ina · « **Reply #6 on:** February 29, 2012, 12:39:59 pm »

If there is another small holder with sheep in the area, I'd ask them first if they need a bit to carry them through the lambing season. I'm sure there's plenty of people who all have a similar problem. No need for everybody to fill up their freezers with half bags of milk replacer... (I know I've done that kind of thing with neighbours before, when I worked with sheep.)

landroverroy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:19:28 pm »

Quote from: robert waddell on February 29, 2012, 09:47:51 am

no way will it be usefull next year it will get mited you see the powder moving

Where do you keep yours then Robert?

I seal mine up in the polythene bag it came in - having opened it carefully, not ripped it apart.
As previously mentioned, I press the bag down to expel all excess air, then seal it securely with a tight elastic band.
I frequently keep it from one year to the next and have never had a problem.
NB. If possible buy a bag with a long sell buy date - you can get them valid till the next year anyway. But if not, it is only the vitamins that are not guaranteed, and you can always give the lambs a vitamin supplement anyway.

Hazelwood Flock · « **Reply #8 on:** February 29, 2012, 05:37:07 pm »

Our local ag merchants sell it in 10kg plastic lidded buckets. Opened it to help a twin whose mother jiggered her hips and couldn't stand after lambing. All is well and she is feeding her lambs fine now, so the bucket is sealed up for next year.

VSS · « **Reply #9 on:** February 29, 2012, 06:25:02 pm »

We keep it in an airtight bucket and it is fine. It is in that bucket all the time and opened and re-sealed each time it is used. I think you might find that if it goes out of date between now and then, you might not get all the vitamins, but it will still rear your lambs well enough.

Anke · « **Reply #10 on:** March 01, 2012, 01:54:53 pm »

One good use for all thise empty lick boxes you seem to accumulate.... tight fitting lid and I don't have space in the freezer for something like that. It just sits in the garage during the year (but now don't have any anymore, as goats are in milk).