NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665

March 12, 1998

Dairy Specialist Offers Reminders for Teat Care During Cold Weather

Even though this winter has been unseasonably warm, dairy producers need to pay close attention to cow health, particularly where teats and udders are concerned, a North Dakota State University dairy specialist advises.

"With one of the nicest winters on record, weather-related health problems have been few," says J.W. Schroeder, dairy specialist with the NDSU Extension Service. "But during nice weather, producers may be releasing cows to the outside while their teats are still wet from the milking parlor."

With freezing or near-freezing temperatures, that management oversight may result in an increased number of teat skin irritations, Schroeder says. Teat irritations may range from simple chapping and cracking of the teat skin, to viral infections and frostbite. These problems can inhibit milk let-down which, in turn, reduces milk production and can cause an increase in mastitis.

One specific viral infection, called mammalitis, is especially common in winter, Schroeder notes. The infection can cause poor milk let-down and mastitis. When teat skin becomes puckered or cracked with the infection, mastitis-causing organisms colonize more readily and have a better chance of entering the teat orifice, causing an increased incidence of mastitis.

"With the help of your veterinarian, you should be able to determine the cause and severity of the teat skin irritations," he says. "By recognizing the cause, you can modify your milking procedures to help control the problem."

Schroeder advises against making changes to the vacuum level on milking equipment until the cause of teat irritations have been diagnosed. "Unnecessary adjustments could cause additional stress on teats and intensify irritated teat ends," he warns.

Many manufacturers offer products that contain salves or ointments that are advertised to reduce or prevent chapped teats. Recent studies have shown that the dips with salves have no advantage in preventing chapped teats. "In fact, applying salves or ointments to undiagnosed teat irritations could contribute to the spread of contagious viral infections throughout the herd," Schroeder says.

Schroeder offers several suggestions for keeping teats healthy when the temperature falls below 10 degrees or the windchill becomes a factor:

• Examine teat ends during preparation for milking to detect a problem early.
• Pre-dipp teat ends instead of washing to help reduce the amount of chapping.
• Make sure teat ends that have been post-dipped are dry before releasing cows to the cold and wind.
• Warm the teat dip to reduce drying time.
• Apply the dip and allow 30-60 seconds contact time. Then blot the teats dry with a clean paper towel.
• Milk first-calf heifers before the older cows which have chapped teats, to help control the spread of mastitis.

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Source: J.W. Schroeder (701) 231-7663

Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629