Mastitis Control Programs:
Proper Milking Techniques
AS-1126, March 1997
Charles Stoltenow, DVM, Extension Veterinarian
J. W. Schroeder, Extension Dairy Specialist
Key Points
- Proper milking procedure is important.
- Milking wet udders will increase mastitis.
- Teats, but not the udder, should be washed.
- Teats should be clean and dry before the
milking machine is attached
- Teats should be dipped after milking.
Mastitis is an inflammation
of the mammary gland. It is usually caused by bacteria which have
penetrated the udder. These bacteria enter the udder through the teat
end. They do not go from quarter to quarter without going out of
the opening of one teat and into the opening of another.
Proper management of cows during and between each
milking is required for maximum milk production and mastitis
prevention. The economic loss from mastitis makes it the
dairy industry's most important disease. The technologies to control
and eradicate mastitis have been available for many years,
yet bacteria still take thousands of cows out of production
every year.
The goal of every
mastitis control program is to prevent bacteria from entering a
normal and healthy mammary gland. This means that each step involved in proper milking
procedures must occur at each milking every day for each cow in
the herd. There are no exceptions or shortcuts to preventing mastitis.
National Mastitis Council
Recommended Milking Procedures
Provide a clean, stress-free environment for cows.
A clean environment is essential to preventing environmentally
caused mastitis. For maximum production, cows should have minimum
stress. Stress reduces the milk letdown
process. Handle cows calmly.
Check foremilk and udder for mastitis.
Examine the udder for swelling, heat, or pain, and, using a strip cup
or plate, examine the foremilk from each quarter prior to every milking.
Wash teats with an udder wash sanitizing solution.
Washing each teat aids milk letdown and removes mud, dirt,
manure, and other foreign objects on the skin.
Dry teats completely with individual paper towel.
Milking machines are designed to stay securely attached to a
dry teat. Drying the teat also prevents possible contamination of the
milk and teat by bacteria present in the water running off the cow's
udder and teats. This water, if present, acts as a freeway for bacteria to
enter the milking system. Remember, the goal of every mastitis
control program is to prevent the introduction of bacteria into a
normal and healthy mammary gland.
Attach the milking unit within one minute after the start
of stimulation.
The milk letdown process that follows the release of oxytocin
after udder stimulation is highest for three to five minutes. It is important
to use this physiologic event to its maximum for the most efficient
removal of the milk.
Adjust units as necessary for proper alignment.
Machine position and support should be adjusted as necessary
during milking. Squawking of liners and liner slip have been
associated with cross quarter contamination.
Shut off vacuum before removing unit.
Stop teat end vacuum before removing the claw. This will help
to minimize cross quarter contamination and adverse actions on the
teat-end. Teat-end lesions allow invasion of bacteria from the
environment into the mammary gland.
Dip teats with an effective product immediately after
unit removal.
Post milking teat dipping is regarded as the single most
effective mastitis control practice in lactating dairy
cows.
Teat Dip Products
Producers should use only teat
dip products that are listed with
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are of proven
effectiveness. Some examples of products effective under field
conditions include:
- Chlorhexidine (0.5%)
- Iodophor (0.5 to 1.0%
available iodine)
- Hypochlorite (4%)
- Chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide
- Linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (1.94%)
If the teat dip complies with FDA rules, the label will
state clearly the name and percentage concentration of each active ingredient, directions for use, name and address of manufacturer
or distributor, production lot number, and an expiration date.
Milk Cows In Order
Bacteria can spread from one cow to another during milking by milking a contaminated cow before an uncontaminated cow. Milk
heifers and fresh (early lactation) cows first, older healthy cows
next, followed by cows with high somatic cell counts and/or clinical signs
of mastitis. You may think that
you can not afford the time and expense to milk cows in order,
but the truth is that if your cows have mastitis, you can't afford not
to milk them in order.
Treating Clinical Mastitis
Consult your veterinarian before using therapeutic products on
your cows. Before infusing anything into a cow's udder, be absolutely positive that the product is intended
for use on a lactating cow and
that it is intended for use via the method you plan to use. YOU are ultimately
responsible for any residue which may be detected
in the milk. If you plan to infuse an antibiotic into the udder of a
cow, be sure the product is approved
for use as an intramammary treatment in lactating dairy cows.
If it is not approved for use in that method, DON'T USE IT!
Read the package insert and follow all directions. Avoid
possible contamination by infusing only pharmaceutically prepared
single service doses. Use the entire dose and do not save any for future
use. Sharing infusions between cows has been shown to actually
cause the spread of mastitis. If a cow does not respond to
treatment, additional alternatives exist. Consult your veterinarian to
determine which alternative is best for each cow.
Treat each quarter of each cow at the end of each lactation
with dry cow treatment. This is the most effective management tool
available for eradicating contagious mastitis from your herd. Pay attention to withdrawl periods for all medications used.
Conclusion
The goal of every
mastitis control program is to prevent the introduction of bacteria
into a normal and healthy mammary gland. Mastitis prevention must
be practiced on every cow at every milking every day. Udder care
is essential for the profitable milk producer. Udder care is
practiced by reducing the spread of bacteria from cow to cow,
eliminating reservoirs for bacteria in and around the barn yard. It only
takes a few seconds per cow per milking. Repeating the process
will make mastitis prevention a management habit.
Contact your veterinarian
or county extension office for additional resources on
mastitis prevention and treatment.
AS-1126, March 1997
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