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January 19, 2006 Winter Dairy Lament: To Dip or Not To Dip
No, I'm not writing about the risks of putting a pinch of chewing tobacco between your cheek and gum! Rather, I'm talking about the dairy producer’s quandary during cold weather B to use teat dip or not to use teat dip. Giving a single answer is difficult since many variables (housing design, weather conditions, degree of teat exposure) can influence the decision. Despite one of the mildest winters in recent history, dairy husbandry and cow health are job No. 1 for dairy operators. In a presentation at the 2005 National Mastitis Council’s annual meeting, Leo Timms, Extension Service dairy specialist and associate professor of animal sciences at Iowa State University, made the following points on this popular topic: In general, use the same good germicidal/skin conditioning dip you’ve been using. Most days are not cold enough to freeze the drop on the teat end. In extreme situations (very cold wind chills and/or direct exposure post-milking), dab or wick the drop off the end of the teat with a cloth towel. Never add extra conditioners to the dip since this changes the formulation. What about barrier dips? Barrier dips usually are not recommended in very cold weather and direct wind chill exposure situations post-milking since they take 20 or more minutes to dry, thus increasing the risk for teat-end problems. What about winter-formulation dips? These products are designed to be used only during cold weather and high-risk situations where teats will freeze or dehydrate quickly. They usually cost two to three times more than regular dips. Evaluate the potential returns of using these products, not just the investment. High-emollient dips, which usually consist of more than 50 percent skin conditioners, minimize initial freezing risk post-milking due to slow evaporation and have shown some benefit in controlled studies. Make sure the germicide in the dip has been proven effective. Teats may stay wetter and be oily longer, which may increase risks with prolonged cold exposure or dirty environmental conditions. Powder-based dips keep teats dry. New formulations have germicide and skin conditioners. Keep stalls and housing clean and dry to avoid wicking on teats. What about salves? Salves are not the best choice. They can be risky unless their germicide and skin conditioning properties have been proven effective. They can coat or trap infections and their greasy feel can attract dirt and other contaminants. If you decide to use salves, do so sparingly. However, ointments and salves can be beneficial in rehabilitating injured or chapped udders and teats. What about no dipping and doing nothing else? This is a poor choice and poses high risks to your cattle. Teats still will be wet after milking, and teat skin conditioners and contagious mastitis germicides are milked off. This results in increased dehydration and cracking risk. And, speaking of mammary care, here is a quick tip to check for teat dip coverage. The key to effective use of teat disinfectants for mastitis control is consistent and complete teat coverage at every milking. The “white towel test” is an excellent, easy way to provide immediate feedback about the effectiveness of teat dipping. Immediately after dipping the teats, wrap a clean towel around the base of the teat while blotting the teat dip from the entire teat. Open the towel and display the teat dip pattern. The pattern should show the bottom two-thirds of the teat completely covered with disinfectant. The best way to deal with winter mastitis problems is to manage the risks. Weigh the options above and pick the one that is most manageable. Couple this with other management strategies, such as minimizing direct wind exposure, keeping stalls clean and dry, and using proper milking procedures. ### Source: J.W.
Schroeder, (701) 231-7663, jschroed@ndsuext.nodak.edu |
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North Dakota State University |
