Even in summer when milking routines should be at their easiest, some issues need careful management to ensure good udder health.

Teats should be clean and dry when cups go on. This is important for good milk quality and to reduce the opportunity for mastitis-causing bacteria to be carried to the teat opening. When the heatwaves hit and you start up the sprinklers at the dairy, do the cows walk onto the platform with wet, dirty teats? If so, how will you adapt your milking routine?

Try checking the cleanliness of teats from about 10 cows that you are about to put cups on by taking white tissues or teat wipes and gently rubbing the bottom of the teats. Is there dirt or faeces on the wipes? If so, these teat ends are not clean enough.

It’s better to increase the likelihood of cows entering the shed clean than to try to deal with dirty udders once they are inside. In summer in the hotter regions, this often means managing holding yards in a way that prevents slurries of manure and water from forming when sprinklers are operating.

If teats do need washing, the best method is to use low-pressure hoses. During summer the heat makes “drip drying” a real possibility if cups on occurs 30 to 90 seconds later.

Flies may also interrupt good milking routines by making cows (not to mention milking staff) fidgety. Cow behaviour is a good indicator of cow comfort. If flies are plentiful and cows are stepping (lifting a foot off the concrete) before the machines are attached, review your fly control management.

Image and caption

Caption: “Summertime”

Countdown Downunder Farm Guideline or Technote
Farm Guideline

Keywords
Milking routines, hygiene

Word length
275