Pre-milking Teat Research Articles

Einfluss differenzierter Eutervorbereitungszeiten auf Melkbarkeitsmerkmale bei Milchkühen in Kuba

Abstract. Title of the paper: Effect of different time of pre-milking teat preparation on milking characteristics of dairy cows in Cuba For the evaluation of different times of pre-milking teat preparation on milking ability of different races/genotypes some parameters about milking with machines (milking characteristics) have been registered. This study reveals that an insufficient pre-milking teat preparation clearly under 60 s lead to a significant deterioration of the milking characteristics. The average milk flow rate decreased while the main-milking-time and the post-milking-time increased. Generally a pre-milking teat preparation of 60s was sufficient to trigger a fully adequate milk ejection. An increase of this time of pre-milking teat preparation to 300 s or even 400 s lead to negative influence on the milking characteristics.

The effect of pre-milking teat-brushing on milk processing time in an automated milking system

Cow throughput in an automatic milking system (AMS) is limited by system parameters such as the time required for pre-milking udder preparation and cup attachment, physiological responses of the cow (such as milk let-down and milking-out rate), milking machine features and cow behaviour. A single-factor cross-over design was used to investigate the effect of pre-milking teat brushing on milk processing time in an AMS operating in an extensive grazing farming system. Teat brushing consisted of two roller brushes tracking up each teat three times (total brushing time of up to 45 s/cow). Cows were allocated to one of two treatment groups with either no brushing (NB) or brushing (B) for a 4-week period before being changed to the other treatment. Teat brushing resulted in shorter average cups-on-time (B = 506.1 s, NB = 541.0 s, P = 0.0001), longer average milk processing time (B = 10.30 min, NB = 9.76 min, P = 0.001) and no difference in daily milk yield (B = 14.67, NB = 14.71 kg/cow, P = 0.826). There was no difference between the two treatments in the success of cup attachment (B = 3.76%, NB = 5.10% unsuccessful milking attempts, P = 0.285). The estimated time cost of pre-milking teat brushing was 53 min for every 100 milkings, equivalent to an additional 5-6 milkings for every 100 milkings by an AMS. The importance of these potential time savings is discussed in relation to automatic milking in farming systems that aim for a lower per cow milking frequency and high ratio of cows to AMS.

Milking regimes to shorten milking duration

Four milking regimes using automatic cluster removers (ACR) were tested over a 19-week period, from mid to late lactation. Each treatment group consisted of 16 slow-milking cows. The milking regimes used were: an ACR setting of 200 ml/min (Control); raised ACR setting from 200 to 500 in steps of 100 ml/min (Raised ACR); raised ACR as above in conjunction with pre-milking teat stimulation (Raised ACR+Stim); and terminating the milking when an ACR threshold of 200 ml/min was reached or when a predetermined maximum milking duration was reached (Timer). All incremental treatments were applied in blocks of 6 or 7 weeks duration. ACR thresholds were raised from 200 to 500 ml/min without observed loss of milk production when compared with controls. However, even up to an ACR setting of 500 ml/min there was little reduction in the group milking duration even when used with teat stimulation. In contrast, the Timer treatment resulted in a 34% reduction of the maximum milking duration for the group without significant loss of milk yield. For all groups, including Control, strip yield was occasionally very high and highly variable. Willingness of cows to enter the milking platform, behaviour during milking, teat condition and incidence of mastitis were similar for all treatment groups. The results indicated that simple truncation of milking at a predetermined maximum duration could be a most potent and inexpensive method of milking a herd more quickly. Such a method could be employed by using a simple timer in any dairy regardless of the level of sophistication of the milking system.

Farm-management and milking practices associated with the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in New York state dairy herds

Knowledge of the relationship between dairy herd management and milking practices with the occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes on dairy farms might assist in the development of intervention strategies aimed at eliminating this organism at the pre-harvest dairy-food-production level. This paper represents a first step towards that goal. We carried out a cross-sectional study to identify farm factors that were associated with isolation of L. monocytogenes from on-farm in-line milk-filters. Data on these factors were collected by personal interview of the farm owners or managers. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the significance of association of each factor while simultaneously controlling for the presence of other factors. A systematic approach was developed in which the bivariable association of the hypothesized factors initially was evaluated. All significant factors were then jointly evaluated in a multivariable logistic model. Farms that used a bucket system had significantly higher odds of L. monocytogenes as compared to farms that used a round-the-barn pipeline milking system (OR=0.35, P=0.05) or milking parlor (OR=0.21, P=0.01). There was a significant association between pre-milking teat disinfection (OR=0.26, P=0.001) and pre-milking examination of abnormal appearance of milk (OR=0.4, P=0.01) against the occurrence of L. monocytogenes. We also found a significant association between the use of E. coli J5 vaccine (OR=3.3, P=0.03) and how long dry-cow therapy had been used on farm (OR=0.34, P=0.04).

Efficacy of a New Premilking Teat Disinfectant Containing a Phenolic Combination for the Prevention of Mastitis

A teat disinfectant containing a phenolic combination was evaluated in a natural exposure study in two dairy research herds. Premilking teat disinfection was compared with a negative control using a split-udder experimental design. In both herds, premilking and postmilking teat disinfections with the phenolic combination were significantly more effective in preventing new intramammary infection (IMI) than was postmilking teat disinfection only. Clinical mastitis and new IMI by Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Gram-negative pathogens, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were significantly lower in quarters of cows with teats predipped and postdipped than in quarters with teats postdipped only. No chapping or teat skin irritation was observed. Premilking teat disinfection with the phenolic combination in association with good udder preparation and postmilking teat disinfection can further reduce the occurrence of new IMI by numerous mastitis pathogens during lactation.

Evaluation of 1.6% Phenol as a Premilking and Postmilking Teat Dip in Preventing New Bovine Intramammary Infections

We evaluated the effectiveness of a 1.6% phenolbased teat dip using both a teat skin assay and natural exposure field trial. A teat skin assay was conducted to ascertain the concentration of phenol + phenate to be used in the field study. One percent and 0.5% iodine, and 0.5, 1.1, and 1.6% phenol + phenate were compared using Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Logarithmic reductions for S. aureus were 2.2 and 2.8 for 0.5 and 1% iodine, and 1.3, 2.1, and 2.8 for 0.5, 1.1, and 1.6% phenol + phenate, respectively. Logarithmic reductions for E. coli were 3.3 and 3.8 for 0.5 and 1% iodine, and 1.2, 1.9, and 2.6 for 0.5, 1.1, and 1.6% phenol + phenate, respectively. A concentration of 1.6% phenol + phenate was chosen as experimental teat dip, and 0.5% iodine served as control. The field study was conducted at Beltsville (n=185) and Clarksville (n=100) dairy herds using a split herd design. Teat dips were used premilking and postmilking for 12 mo. The number of new intramammary infections (IMI) for the Beltsville herd in iodine and phenol + phenate teat dipped cows were: 29 and 35 for major pathogens, and 81 and 72, for minor pathogens. For the Clarksville herd, number of new intramammary infections in iodine and phenol + phenate teat dipped cows was 9 and 10 for major pathogens, and 50 and 60 for minor pathogens. Rates of IMI per quarter day per lactation were not different for either herd or when herd data were combined. The number of clinical mastitis cases per 100 cows per month were similar in both treatments. The incidences of new IMI and clinical mastitis were similar using both dips.

Milking Management and Bulk Milk Iodine Concentrations in Ontario Dairy Herds

The role of hygiene in the prevention of new intramammary infections has been well understood since the late 1950's. In 1965, Newbould reviewed the literature on disinfection in the prevention of udder infections.1 Throughout the next decade, numerous disinfectant products were approved and marketed. Even though significant extension education efforts were mounted, in 1981 a formal observational study reported that the implementation of proper milking management methods on Ontario dairy farms had not kept pace with the current knowledge on mastitis control.2 Barely 50% of herds were using post-milking teat dipping. Since that time, there has been relatively little published regarding implementation of recommended mastitis control practices.3 During the same time period, the iodine content of fluid milk has been questioned. The concentration of iodine has been reported for raw farm milk4 and for retail milk samples.5 Some evidence of samples with high milk iodine content was documented in these reports. Even though iodine is essential, it is a potentially harmful dietary element, and cause for public concern. The impact of pre-milking teat disinfection on the iodine content of milk has been studied.6 However, recent literature is lacking on the prevalence of elevated iodine in the farm-gate milk supply. The objective of this project was to determine the current status of the Ontario dairy industry for frequency of use of various milking management procedures, and to study the association between the use of these practices and bulk milk iodine concentrations.

Effects of Premilking and Postmilking Teat Disinfectants on Teat Skin Condition

An incomplete block split-plot design with repeated measures was used to test the effects of eight combinations of premilking and postmilking teat disinfectants on teat skin and teat end condition over a 6-wk period. These combinations included iodine, sodium chlorite, lactic acid, and orthophosphoric acid. Visual assessments of teat skin and teat ends were made on the teats of 101 cows. Teat skin thickness, teat end thickness, and transepidermal water loss were assessed for the teats of 50 cows. The interaction of predip and postdip had no effect on teat condition. Postdip had a significant effect on transepidermal water loss, visual teat skin condition, and visual teat end condition. The 1% iodine postdip was associated with the poorest teat skin condition.

Interruption of machine milking in dairy cows: effects on intramammary pressure and milking characteristics

Experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that milk ejection rate decreases during milking, thereby causing insufficient refill of the cistern and decreasing milk flow rate towards the end of milking. In a first series of experiments machine milking of the left front quarters of 11 cows was interrupted for 2 min after removal of 25, 50 or 75% of expected total milk yield, while milking was continued in the other three quarters. Milk flow was recorded during machine-on times. Intramammary pressure (IMP) was recorded during premilking teat stimulation and during interruption of milking. IMP during interruption of milking decreased with decreasing amounts of milk remaining in the udder. The IMP did not change during these interruptions when they occurred after 25 and 50% of expected total milk yield was removed. Thus, the ejection rate could keep up with the milk flow or removal rate. However, IMP increased during interruption of milking following removal of 75% of total yield, although significantly so only in cows with a high milk flow rate. Obviously, more milk was removed than was transported to the cisternal cavity. It is likely that a reduced ejection rate caused the decreased milk flow rate. In a second series of experiments the pulsation ratio of the milking machine was changed from the usual 70:30 to 50:50 with the aim of reducing the milk flow rate and thus adapting to the ejection rate at the end of milking. The changed pulsation ratio caused a reduced peak flow rate and a prolonged high milk flow period, whereas the main flow rate did not change significantly.

Evaluation of Chlorhexidine as a Premilking Teat Disinfectant for the Prevention of Intramammary Infections During Lactation

A study was conducted for 15 months to evaluate efficacy of a 0.35% chlorhexidine teat dip as a premilking teat disinfectant based on reduction of naturally occurring new intramammary infections. Predipping was compared with a negative control using a split-udder experimental design. All teats were dipped after milking with the same 0.35% chlorhexidine teat dip. Most new major pathogen intramammary infections were caused by Streptococcus species, primarily Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus equinus and gram-negative bacteria, primarily Escherichia coli. Percentage of quarters newly infected by major mastitis pathogens was 30.6% lower in mammary glands with teats predipped and postdipped in chlorhexidine than in mammary glands with teats postdipped only, and differences between treatment groups approached significance. New infections by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species were significantly lower in mammary glands with teats predipped and postdipped than in mammary glands with teats postdipped only. When all mastitis pathogens were combined, percentage of quarters newly infected by major and minor mastitis pathogens was significantly lower in the predipped and postdipped group than in the postdipped only group. No statistical differences in incidence of clinical mastitis between treatment groups were observed. No chapping or irritation of teats was observed and no adverse effects were detected using chlorhexidine as a premilking and postmilking teat disinfectant. Results of this study suggest that premilking teat disinfection with chlorhexidine in association with good udder preparation and postmilking teat disinfection can further reduce the occurrence of new intramammary infections during lactation.

Evolution of Udder Hygiene: Premilking Teat Sanitation

Compared with post-milking teat dipping, predipping is in its infancy. Few controlled studies have been published on premilking teat disinfection/sanitation. Experimental challenge procedures resulted in consistent reductions for predipping compared with no udder preparation and conventional udder preparation, indicating a potential for effectiveness. Challenge studies that included the treatments of predip only and postdip only indicated that interactions during the milking process require elucidation. Positive benefits have been observed for predipping in field trials among some herds, but wide variation has been observed between herds in all field trial evaluations. Parity, DIM, and season of the year had major interactions on efficacy of predipping in Pankey et al's 1987 report; other trials have been of shorter duration and precluded analysis of these interactions. Interactions among these variables influenced incidence of mastitis by environmental pathogens. The length of time after milking before teats are contaminated probably is a major influence on predip efficacy. Predipping has reduced incidence of new IMIs and new cases of clinical mastitis. Unfortunately, certain factors negated these positive effects. These factors need to be defined. Producers should monitor effects of predipping to determine whether the investment in product and time has an economic return under the conditions of their dairy.

Premilking Teat Disinfection for the Prevention of Environmental Pathogen Intramammary Infections

A natural exposure study was conducted for 14 months to evaluate efficacy of 0.25% iodine premilking teat disinfectant for the prevention of new intramammary infections. Predipping was compared with a negative control using a split-udder experimental design. All teats were dipped after milking with the same teat dip. Most new major pathogen intramammary infections resulted from Streptococcus species, primarily Streptococcus uberis and Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and from gram-negative bacteria, primarily Escherichia coli. New infections by gram-negative bacteria were significantly lower in quarters with teats predipped and postdipped than in quarters with teats postdipped only. Percentage of quarters newly infected by major mastitis pathogens was 48.6% lower in quarters with teats predipped and postdipped than in quarters with teats postdipped only. Statistical differences in incidence of clinical mastitis between treatment groups were not observed. Predipping and postdipping was no more effective against Staphylococcus species and Corynebacterium bovis than postdipping only. These data suggest that pre- and postdipping with the test product was more effective against major pathogens than postdipping only and provide additional evidence that premilking teat disinfection is an effective management procedure for prevention of environmental pathogen intramammary infections.

The Influence of Premilking Teat Preparation and Attachment Delay on Milk Yield and Milking Performance

Premilking teat preparation and attachment delay were varied in four experiments conducted with American Holstein, Danish Holstein, and Danish Jersey cows. Premilking teat preparation varied from 10 to 30s and consisted of wiping teats for 6 to 20s and stripping one to five squirts of milk from each teat. Attachment delay from beginning of premilking teat preparation until machine attachment varied from .5 to 3.0min. Longer preparation significantly increased milk yield for Danish Jersey cows, but not for American or Danish Holstein cows. Older Danish Jersey cows were more sensitive to premilking teat preparation than first lactation cows. Attachment delay influenced the milk yield in Danish Jersey cows, amount of residual fat in American Holsteins, and fat percentage in the residual milk of American and Danish Holstein cows. A 1.3-min delay can be generally recommended for the whole herd with only small or no milk loss for cows in early stage of lactation. Milk yield decreased for Danish Jersey cows and tended to decrease for American Holstein cows when machine attachment was delayed to 3.0min, regardless of stage of lactation. The lack of treatment effects for Danish Holstein cows may be due to a lack of conditioned stimulation for cows milked in their tie stalls compared with the response of cows moved to milking parlors for milking.Added duration of teat wiping, vigorousness of teat stripping, and delay of machine attachment hastened steady milk flow. Conversely, advanced days in lactation delayed steady milk flow. The high fat content of Danish Jerseys did not delay the start of steady milk flow compared with the American and Danish Holsteins. In late stage of lactation, 30s of teat preparation and 1.3min of machine attachment delay minimized time until steady milk flow as well as 10s of teat preparation and 3.0min of attachment delay.

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

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.

Evaluation of Udder Preparations on Intramammary Infections

Udder preparations of wet towel plus drying and .1% iodophor premilking teat dipping plus drying were compared with no preparation to determine effects on number of new intramammary infections. Teats of 84 cows were challenged (5 d/wk) for 18 wk with a culture broth of Streptococcus uberis 3h prior to each p.m. milking to stimulate environmental contamination. Wet towel plus drying and premilking teat dipping plus drying significantly reduced number of new intramammary infections compared to no preparation. Cleaning with water or dipping with a premilking teat dip and manual drying of teats may have contributed to the reduction in number of new infections. Premilking teat dipping plus drying further reduced number of new infections compared to use of wet towel plus drying. Apparently, teat dipping was more effective in reducing the number of new infections than water used with the wet towel. This study showed that udder preparations can affect udder health when an experimental bacterial challenge is applied.

Update of teat dipping (pre- and post-), backflushing, and dry-cow therapy

Postmilking teat dipping is considered to be the single most effective practice available for reducing the spread of contagious mastitis bacteria provided that an effective germicidal product is used. Teat dipping after the last milking of the lactation has been shown to be effective in reducing new Staphylococcus aureus infections, whilst barrier teat dips appear to be effective in reducing new coliform infections. Possible benefits of pre-milking teat dipping for control of environmental mastitis are discussed. Back-flushing systems that are available commercially for flushing disinfectant through the milking unit after each cow appear to reduce the spread of contagious mastitis organisms, but have little or no effect upon environmental pathogens. Dry cow treatment of all cows is recommended; partial insertion of the cannula into the teat canal resulted in higher cure rate and lower new infection rate than did complete insertion.

Effects of Premilking Udder Preparation Practices on Bacterial Counts in Milk and on Teats

Udder preparations using premilking teat disinfectants, premilking teat dipping procedures, and types of paper towels were evaluated to determine their effects on bacterial counts in milk and on teats. Iodophor, sodium hypochlorite, and dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid teat disinfectant dips significantly reduced total bacteria in milk with no significant differences among disinfectants. Teats dipped with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid had higher coliform counts, which may be attributed to the physical properties interfering with effective drying. Manual drying of teats with a paper towel further reduced bacterial counts in milk; length of manual drying time did not significantly change bacterial counts. Also, types of paper towels did not affect bacterial counts on teat ends. Data suggest that the benefit of manual drying in assuring dry teats is of primary importance compared with duration of manual drying and type of towel.

Milk Iodine Residues in Herds Practicing Iodophor Premilking Teat Disinfection

The objective was to determine effects of different concentrations of iodophor teat dips on milk iodine residues, when teat dips were used both premilking and postmilking. Eighty cows in each of seven herds were assigned to one of four treatments. Each treatment received postmilking teat dip at .1 or 1% iodophor concentration. Two groups received no premilking dip, and the other two groups received premilking teat dip at the same concentration as the postmilking teat dip. Premilking teat dipping was followed by manual drying of teats. Noniodophor postmilking dips and no premilking inodophor udder sanitizers were used during an 8-d adjustment period. Milk was collected for milk iodine determination from each cow from weigh jars or milk meters at p.m. milkings during the last 3 d of the adjustment period and d 4, 6, and 8 of the treatment period. Premilking and postmilking teat dipping with .1% iodophor dip did not significantly increase milk iodine residue above postmilking teat dipping with .1% iodophor dip alone. However, 1% iodophor postmilking teat dip significantly increased milk iodine residue over use of .1% iodophor dip used as a premilking and postmilking teat dip. Adding a 1% iodophor premilking teat dip significantly increased iodine residues.

Effects of Premilking Udder Preparation on Bacterial Population, Sediment, and Iodine Residue in Milk

Udder preparations that wet both udder surfaces and teats had the highest standard plate count in milk compared with methods that wet teats only. Physical action of cleaning teats with a dry towel lowered bacterial count compared with preparations wetting both udder surfaces and teats. Methods resulting in lowest bacterial counts were the use of water hose, wet towel, or premilking disinfectant teat dip followed by drying with paper towels. Counts of coliform and Staphylococcus sp. followed similar trends. In most comparisons, addition of udder wash sanitizer was of marginal or no benefit. Standard plate count of teat rinses after udder preparation confirmed the benefit of cleaning and drying teats. Physical manipulation of teats during cleaning was essential for lowering sediment in milk. Drying of teats with a paper towel for at least 10s after dipping with a 1% iodophor disinfectant dip was essential for reducing iodine residue. Both premilking and postmilking disinfectant teat dipping with a 1% iodophor teat dip caused higher iodine residue in milk than premilking disinfectant dip with subsequent drying. A .5% iodophor teat dip contributed less iodine in milk than a 1% iodophor teat dip. Premilking udder preparation affects bacterial count, sediment, and iodine residue in milk.

The effectiveness of pre-milking teat squirting in controlling bovine mastitis.

Australian Veterinary JournalVolume 48, Issue 12 p. 664-667 THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PRE-MILKING TEAT SQUIFTING IN CONTROLLING BOVINE MASTITIS J. T. Feagan M.Sc.Agr., D.P.A., J. T. Feagan M.Sc.Agr., D.P.A. Northfield Research Laboratories, Department of Agriculture, Adelaide, South Australia 5000Search for more papers by this authorA. F. Hehir B.Sc., A. F. Hehir B.Sc. Northfield Research Laboratories, Department of Agriculture, Adelaide, South Australia 5000Search for more papers by this author J. T. Feagan M.Sc.Agr., D.P.A., J. T. Feagan M.Sc.Agr., D.P.A. Northfield Research Laboratories, Department of Agriculture, Adelaide, South Australia 5000Search for more papers by this authorA. F. Hehir B.Sc., A. F. Hehir B.Sc. Northfield Research Laboratories, Department of Agriculture, Adelaide, South Australia 5000Search for more papers by this author First published: December 1972 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.1972.tb09242.xCitations: 1AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Citing Literature Volume48, Issue12December 1972Pages 664-667 RelatedInformation