Effects of Premilking Teat Preparation on Spores of Anaerobes, Bacteria, and Iodine Residues in Milk

Abstract

Premilking teat preparations using individual paper or cotton towels for either 6 or 20s to reduce bacteria and iodine residues from teat surfaces were determined through Latin square designs applied to 50 cows. A cotton towel used for 20s was most effective in cleaning teats, probably because of the physical structure of the towel, physical action on teat surface, and scrubbing of the teat ends. Premilking teat preparation of 6s was inadequate to clean teats and to avoid iodine residues in milk. Teat end erosions increased iodine residue in milk. Two days after a treatment period, iodine content in milk from iodophor-dipped groups was similar to that of the undipped control group.Against our expectation, teat dipping with a .25% iodophor teat dip caused higher iodine residue in milk than a .50% iodophor teat dip. Differences in formulations and inert ingredients of iodophor teat dips indicate a need for further studies.