Good timing and technique in taking off cups is a cost-free way of reducing mastitis 

Key Messages

• Good milking routines are critical to good mastitis control

• You can assess and optimise the milking routines on your farm for very little cost

• The end of every milking for each cow is a high risk period for new mastitis infection

• Teat damage reduces the cow’s natural defence against mastitis

• Teat damage occurs during periods of low milk flow

• The appropriate process for taking cups off includes the right timing and technique

• Milking staff can make observations at cup removal that provide important clues to the overall operation of your milking machine and routines

• Review and re-jig your milking routines if warning signs occur in cow behaviour, completeness of milking, milking times or appearance of teats

• Participation in the Countdown Farmer Short Course is a good way to plan for good, consistent routines by all milking staff

• Veterinarians and milking machine technicians can assess your herd’s teat condition

Contents

1. Good milking routines provide cost-free rewards

2.  Do your cows have cups on for more than 6 minutes?

3.  Low milk flow, teat condition and mastitis

4. Alert milking staff minimise over milking and mastitis  

5. All the grabs in MS Word

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