Manage Udder Health During Calving

Calving is now in full force around the country. It is a hectic period, for the cows and farmers, and is when cows are most at risk of picking up mastitis.

Implementing careful hygiene practices early to manage udder health can pay dividends later in the season. Fonterra Veterinary Programme Manager Mike Shallcrass says the first 48 hours after calving are a crucial period for mastitis prevention.

“The most important physical barrier a cow has is the teat canal. If that is closed and clean, then bacteria can’t get in. If there’s teat end damage or if the cow is dripping milk that reduces the barrier’s effectiveness and this is especially risky during the pre-calving period before regular milking starts. Cows dripping milk pre-calving are at risk. You don’t necessarily have to milk them out but if you can milk them to the point that they’re not dripping milk anymore, that is beneficial for mastitis control,” he says.

“If you can make sure cows’ teats are clean and hygiene protocols are in place during those first milkings, the better the rest of the season will flow. Yes, there may be a small amount of extra work involved initially but the payoff is that you’ll have fewer clinical cases to treat throughout the whole season. Potentially if you follow the process well, you should end up with lower cell counts, which gives you the flexibility later in the season to drop to once a day milking.”

Farm Source has put together a handy poster with 10 easy steps to manage udder health. These are available at your local Farm Source store and make a great addition to the milking shed.

1. Run springers through the shed once or twice a week to teat spray and check for mastitis.
2. Always wear gloves and disinfect hands between animals at first milking.
3. Trim tails when entering the colostrum mob to improve hygiene.
4. Teat spray cows pre-cupping while in the colostrum mob but don’t pre-spray cows entering the vat supply).
5. Clean each teat thoroughly prior to first milking.
6. Strip milk from each teat and check for visible signs of mastitis.
7. Attach cups to ensure cluster sits evenly on the udder.
8. Post-spray teats with teat spray.
9. Withhold cows from vat supply for at least eight milkings.
10. Test for mastitis using rapid mastitis test prior to returning to vat supply.

Pick up an udder health poster and supplies from your nearest Farm Source store.

For support or advice on your milk quality, talk to your local Farm Source team or call us on 0800 65 65 68.