 Teat
disinfectant and reduced farm water quality
Teat
disinfection continues to be very important in hot, dry weather, especially if
you have cows kept in smaller areas at a higher stocking rate.
Organic
matter and bacteria in water used to mix disinfectant reduce the activity of the
disinfectant. Tanks in Australia contain surprisingly high levels of organic
matter, especially when there is little summer rainfall and dairy shed roofs are
used as catchments. Dried manure
dust, containing pathogens such as coliforms, washes from the roof of the dairy
into holding tanks.
Using cooled water from the hot
water service minimises the risk of bacterial load, although the level of
organic matter will remain unchanged. If the quality of water available at the
dairy is not adequate, consider an alternative water supply (e.g. potable water
from the farm house) to make up teat disinfectant, or purchase a ready-to-use
product.
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