Keep milk from
fresh cows out of the vat for eight milkings
One of the most important things about milking fresh cows is
to ensure that the milk is suitable to go in the vat.
There are three threats to milk quality in a fresh herd – the
risk of residues (from antibiotics or teat sealants), high cell counts and
colostrum.
For these reasons, milk must be kept out of the vat for a
minimum period of eight milkings (and at least 10 milkings for induced cows).
Dr Pauline Brightling, Countdown Downunder project leader
offers a word of caution – 'eight milkings' assumes eight complete milkings with
normal post-calving production.
“If cows are very slow to come on their milk, or are only
partially milked, the time period before milk is appropriate for the vat may be
longer.
“If you are not certain about the suitability of milk, don’t
include it. Ask your veterinarian or dairy company field officer for more
information,” said Dr Brightling.
For more
information refer to the Countdown Downunder Farm Guidelines 1-4, available on
www.countdown.org.au or phone Countdown Downunder (03)
9620-7283
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