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January
27, 2005
Winter Woes
for Udder Health
Sudden and significant
drops in winter temperature present dairy producers with management challenges,
says J.W. Schroeder, North Dakota State University Extension Service dairy
specialist.
“Winter teat-end
lesions or cracks are easily triggered when the temperature drops 20 degrees,”
Schroeder says. “During cold winter weather, teat-end lesions are
the number one factor predisposing cows to mastitis. Recent drops to woefully
cold weather has been a challenge for some dairy producers.”
When observed, winter
teat-end lesions often are mistaken for frostbite or milking equipment
malfunction. Attempting to treat for frostbite with salve may spread lesions.
Although milking stresses teats, milking equipment very rarely causes
winter teat-end lesions. Milking equipment should not be tampered with
unless tests indicate the equipment is not functioning properly. Both
lower and higher than optimum vacuum and pulsation rates will increase
teat stress, aggravating the condition.
“The key to
identifying winter teat-end lesions is observing and differentiating between
these and other types of teat lesions, such as frostbite,” Schroeder
says. “Winter teat-end lesions develop at the very end of the teat
around the teat opening. To determine presence of winter teat-end lesions,
the teat must be manually turned up for observation. Teats should be inspected
immediately following a significant drop in temperature.”
Erratic weather may
cause lesions to linger. As cows acclimate to cold weather, teat tissue
adjusts and the lesions regress. Once temperatures stabilize, the incidence
of winter teat-end lesions subside. Since a causative organism has not
been identified and producers have no control over temperature changes,
identification and prevention/control measures need to be implemented
to minimize the occurrence and severity of winter teat-end lesions.
- Feed cows indoors
during cold weather, when possible.
- Maintain proper
functioning milk equipment. Check vacuum line hoses, pulsators, inflations
and vacuum level. Too high of a vacuum level or fast pulsation rate
may traumatize teats, while too low vacuum or slow pulsation increases
unit on-time, prolonging teat stress from milking.
- Avoid washing
teats in cold weather, if possible. Washing removes natural oil from
the teat and the washing/drying can be abrasive.
- To minimize irritation,
blot teats dry instead of rubbing.
- Consider using
a pre-dip, as it is passive and bathes all areas of the teat and lesion.
- When using a pre-dip,
it is important to dry teats prior to milking to avoid milk residues.
- Post-dip teats
with an effective germicide that also contains maximum skin conditioning
potential.
- Choose teat dips
that have been clinically proven effective. It is preferable to use
a commercial teat dip containing 5 percent to 10 percent skin conditioners,
or one that provides the equivalent conditioning potential.
- Do not add extra
skin conditioner to commercial dips because it may inactivate the germicidal
properties or alter the overall product effectiveness.
- Use salves judiciously
because they provide a spread mechanism to all cows teats via greasy
hands and can result in greasy milking equipment.
- In extremely cold
weather, teat ends should be blotted dry after at least a one-minute
dip contact time, especially if cows will be exposed immediately, post
milking, to cold, windy conditions.
- For milking hygiene,
use procedures similar to controlling contagious mastitis (clean hands,
individual towels, etc.).
- It is imperative
that milkers utilize proper techniques to maximize unit performance
(maximum flow per unit of time) and minimize teat stress (extending
milking time due to low flow rates or gross overmilking). Proper pre-milking
sanitation procedure to maximize stimulation and allow for unit attachment
within one to 1 1/2 minutes from initial stimulation is critical to
maximize milk letdown and flow rates and minimize extended periods of
milking due to low flow. Minimize overmilking because any extra machine
time prolongs milking teat stress.
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Source:
J.W. Schroeder, (701) 231-7663, jschroed@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern, (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.edu
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