Honestly, when things get busy, I just keep it straightforward. I check every batch with the refractometer before it goes to a calf. Doesn’t take long and saves me trouble later. During peak periods I try to collect colostrum as soon as the cow calves, label it properly, and freeze the good stuff so I always have backup.

Keep everything ready to go, clean bottles, warm water, refractometer where you can actually find it. Otherwise you lose time running around, and that’s when mistakes happen.