It’s not exactly Slip, Slop, Slap, but in summer, a good skin health program for cows’ teats is just about as important as protecting our own skin from damaging ultraviolet rays.

Hot, dry, windy weather, wallowing in surface water and direct sunlight all take their toll on teat skin, making it rough and cracked. For mastitis control, it’s important to avoid this state.

Teat skin in poor condition is harder to keep free of dirt and manure than supple skin. During summer, when sprinklers are used in holding yards, teats may be exposed to a significant amount of dirt and water when cows arrive to be milked or when they leave the dairy. These are just the sort of conditions that increase the risk of environmental mastitis.

Teat skin in poor condition is also harder to disinfect. Cracks and scaly skin provide hiding places for the bacteria that are transferred from cow to cow on teatcup liners to avoid teat disinfection.

The emollient in your teat disinfectant is particularly important during summer. Ensure that you maintain soft, supple teat skin by using a teat disinfectant with emollient or adding an emollient such as glycerine or sorbitol. Don’t use bloat oil, canola oil or any of the other white oils. These reduce the effectiveness of teat disinfection and fail to provide the skin care that teats need in adverse weather conditions.

Quite apart from mastitis control, don’t forget the slip, slop, slap message for yourself and your staff. Most schools have adopted a sensible “no hat, no play” policy for students on sunny days. It’s now up to adults to apply a similar approach to their outside routines.

Image and caption

Cartoon:  Cow and sunscreen

Countdown Downunder Farm Guideline or Technote
Farm Guideline Introduction, 9.1, 9.2, 9.5

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Teat condition

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277