| |
|
 |
TEAT DIPS IN GENERAL |
Q: Which teat dips can be used for pre-dipping?
A:
The goal of every producer should be to produce high quality, uncontaminated milk. To do this use only a teat dips that is recommended. Make sure to manually dry pre-dipped teats before applying the machine to prevent excess teat dip from draining into the milking unit and contaminating the milk.
The proper recommended procedure for pre-dipping is: pre-clean teats; fore-strip; pre-dip, following manufacturer’s directions and recommended contact time; dry teats with single-service paper towel; and attach the milking unit. |
Q: What factors affect total milk quality?
Factors in addition to mastitis that affect overall milk quality include other reasons for the development of off-flavors and reduced shelf life. These are due to feed or churning, agitation and prolonged cooling, and contamination as indicated by sediment, bacteria, and water inhibitors.
|
Q: Should every cow with a high SCC be culled?
A: Cullingis a method to eliminate infections caused by either contagious or environmental pathogens, but should be practiced after due consideration of the economic impact. Segregation and sanitation may be a better option than elimination for some cows. The other side of the issue is the “11,365 kg cow” that has 4550 kg discarded due to treatment. She actually is a 6,815 kg Cow! Use records to determine the economic contribution or liability of every cow.
|
Q: Does it pay to work at lowering somatic cells?
A: Whether the attitude, effort and small expense involved in maintaining a very low somatic cell count (SCC) pays has been answered many times through research and on-farm experience with a resounding “Yes”, Low SCC herds actually may a higher incidence of environmentally caused flare-ups than what occurs in high SCC herds. However, these infections virtually are present one day and gone the next, causing extremely low economic losses, as opposed to the devastating effects that organisms such as Staph. Aureus and Strep. Ag. Have on your profit picture.
|
Q: Does it pay to treat mastitis?
A: It is a proven fact that it is more profitable to prevent mastitis than to treat it. Treating cows for sub clinical mastitis based on elevated somatic cell counts is not effective or profitable. When cows have clinical signs of infecting during lactation, treatment during early lactation reduces more infections than treatment in late lactation. The most economical time to treat mastitis infections is during the dry period. Cows that do not respond to dry period treatment should be culled. Consider the risk involved in knowing that a cow with one infected quarter will pass along that infection to six to eight other cows in just one lactation.
To reduce contamination risks, make sure udders and teats are clean and dry before sampling. Strip a few streams of milk from each teat to reduce the number of contaminating bacteria in the teat canal. Dip teats in a germicidal teat dip and wipe dry before sampling. Scrub each teat end vigorously with a separate swab of cotton moistened with 70% ethyl or isopropyl alcohol.
To reduce contamination of teats during sample collection, then scrub far teats first, then bear ones. Sample neat teats first then far ones. Remove the cap from the labelled vial, hold the cap with the inner surface facing down, preventing the vial and cap from touching teat. Direct streams of milk into the vial until 3-4 ml are collected. Place the samples in ice or refrigerate them as soon as possible and culture within 24 hours. Collection and culture of samples from individual quarters usually is preferred over composite samples.
Q: Which teat dip is the best?
A: There is no one “Best” teat dip. More than 50% of new infections can be prevented by dipping teats in a germicidal agent immediately after every milking. Teat dip products therefore should be proven to lower the rate of new infections in dairy cows by at least 50% under actual farm conditions in order to be effective. Select a teat dip with demonstrated effectiveness in preventing new udder infections in controlled studies. Ask for research data to show “cow efficacy data” and search for the words “experimental challenge” or “natural exposure”.
When you consider a teat dip product, request information from the manufacturer on compliance with the FDA regulations and results controlled research studies showing effectiveness.
|
|
 |
 |
