1. Smart parlour routines for less mastitis
Mark Burnell DBR CertCHP Southfield Veterinary Centre, Dorchester

2. Reducing mastitis is a good way of off-setting the reduced milk price!

3. Where does mastitis come from?
Hands…soil…bedding…machine…contaminated milk…wash water… udder cloths/towels…

4. Cows entering the parlour

5. “I tried gloves and it made no difference”

6. Pre milking teat preparation
Score Score Score Score 4
Free of dirt % area % area >30% area
Scores 3 and 4 at increased risk of mastitis

7. Good teat prep. Will reduce bacteria by 85% max. …
Good teat prep. Will reduce bacteria by 85% max. ….so result depends on where you start!

8. Reduce new infection rate (new infections with Streptococcus uberis)
Galton et al.,1988

9. Milk Sock Scoring

10. Foremilking
Is the effort worth it?

11. Portion of milk stored in cistern & alveolus
Costa & Reinemann, IDF 2003

12. The milk let-down reflex… 90 seconds !
Physical stimulation sends message via nerves to brain
Oxytocin released in brain, travels to udder and milk is ‘let down’
60 seconds

13. x Stress (adrenaline) The milk let-down reflex… 90 seconds !
Physical stimulation sends message via nerves to brain x
Stress
(adrenaline)
In previous 30 minutes!
Oxytocin released in brain, travels to udder and milk is ‘let down’
60 seconds

15. Foremilking
2 actual squirts of milk
Strip then dip

16. Cluster attachment Avoid excessive air intake…
Big risk factor for environmental mastitis
Good alignment crucial – hang squarely

17. Liner slip

18. Post milking… teat spraying v dipping?
10ml/cow/milking
15ml/cow/milking

19. Parlour ROUTINE Sequential / territorial
Consistency of number of milkers in parlour!

20. The ideal milking routine
Wipe off excess organic matter (wash&dry)
Fore milk
Pre dip
Dry
Attach cluster – alignment!
Post dip
Keep standing 30 minutes minimum
Milk mastitis/high cell count cows last or ‘separately’

21. What now?
Review your routine, how close can you get to the ideal?……make it work!
Free milk sample cultures…will they be clean?
Parlour visit to support …..
LESS MASTITIS, LESS HASSLE!
or….