We don't have pasturizing equipment. Over the years we have found some johnes cows in the herd as well as a few staph aureus-- which grows on the skin as well as in the udder-- and don't want to chance heifer calves having contact with those. With the exception of fresh cows, held cows are usually sick in some way (mastitis, pneumonia, etc) and it has never made sense to me to put the babies at risk. We don't have a place for pasturizing equipment at this location but will probably add it awith a special needs parlor at the new site in a couple of years.
I'm am thinking about raising some bull calves in groups at the new site starting this fall. I am not as concerned about unpasturized milk for them and wouldn't need to transport it the 3/4 mile to the heifer calf barn to make use of it.
Linda