Smart parlour routines for less mastitis Mark Burnell DBR CertCHP Southfield Veterinary Centre, Dorchester
Reducing mastitis is a good way of off-setting the reduced milk price!
Where does mastitis come from? Hands…soil…bedding…machine…contaminated milk…wash water… udder cloths/towels…
Cows entering the parlour
“I tried gloves and it made no difference”
Pre milking teat preparation Score 1 Score 2 Score 3 Score 4 Free of dirt 2-10% area 10-30% area >30% area Scores 3 and 4 at increased risk of mastitis
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!
Reduce new infection rate (new infections with Streptococcus uberis) Galton et al.,1988
Milk Sock Scoring
Foremilking Is the effort worth it?
Portion of milk stored in cistern & alveolus Costa & Reinemann, IDF 2003
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
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
Foremilking 2 actual squirts of milk Strip then dip
Cluster attachment Avoid excessive air intake… Big risk factor for environmental mastitis Good alignment crucial – hang squarely
Liner slip
Post milking… teat spraying v dipping? 10ml/cow/milking 15ml/cow/milking
Parlour ROUTINE Sequential / territorial Consistency of number of milkers in parlour!
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’
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….