Plaudits for dairy's best

By: MONICA JACKSON   

Northern Victorian dairy farmers are no stranger to producing the best quality milk in Australia.

AS AUSTRALIA'S largest dairying region, northern Victoria produces 26 per cent of the country's total milk production.

It is hardly surprising, therefore, that the region also contains some of the country's best dairy farmers.

This week we continue identifying the best farmers in The Weekly Times Countdown Downunder Milk Quality Awards.

The awards are co-ordinated by Countdown Downunder, the national program set up in 1998 to equip farmers with information and strategies to lower herd milk cell counts.

Hot, dry summers and the scarcity of water are part of the farming landscape for northern Victorian dairy farmers, many of whom depend on irrigation for surival.

But, farmers should not underestimate the problems a wet winter could bring through a potential increase in mastitis infections, Countdown Downunder regional program manager Fiona Smolenaars said.

Ms Smolenaars said farmers should start planning a drying-off program and develop a back-up calving plan in case of a wet winter.
She said the dry winters of the past few years have meant less water and mud during the calving period, which begins in July.

Ms Smolenaars said in planning a drying-off program, farmers must decide whether to use Selective or Blanket Cow Dry Treatment and should consult their veterinarian when making the decision.

The Countdown Downunder guidelines suggest the administration of Dry Cow Treatment involves potential hazards for cows and operators and should be carried out properly.

The guidelines say it is easy to introduce bacteria into the teat if the teat end is not disinfected properly, or the treatment not administered carefully. Operators can be injured by cows during the administration of the treatment, especially if the cows are not used to having their teats handled.

Ms Smolenaars said farmers should make sure they are well prepared to apply Dry Cow Treatment and should do it in batches -- with one operator handling no more than 20 cows an hour.

She said a back-up plan for calving in wet weather was also essential in order to avoid mastitis infection.

Cows are extremely susceptible to infection around calving because their natural defence mechanisms are low.

New infections occur and sub-clinical infections, which have persisted through the dry period, may flare into clinical cases.
Induced cows are even more vulnerable to mastitis.

Around calving, the udder is often filled with milk for relatively long periods without the flushing effect of being milked.

Bacteria may enter the end of the teat where they can multiply and establish infection.

High numbers of environmental mastitis bacteria may contaminate teats, especially if udders are wet and exposed to mud and manure.

Countdown Downunder has developed guidelines to minimise the chance of infection.

For more information contact Ms Smolenaars on (03)5823-2835.