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Minimising The Risk Of Contamination At Milking

Once freshly calved cows are in the dairy and being milked, there are still a number of factors that influence their risk of mastitis infection.

By Department of Primary Industries - 7th September 2004 - Back to News

Freshly calved cows often have teats that are swollen and oedematous. There is good evidence to show that these teats have an increased risk of infection. This means that the first calving heifers are more likely to be at risk.

This risk can be made much worse if the teat ends are actually damaged by the milking process, or if the teat orifice remains "open" for a period after milking. The health of the teats therefore relies on the milking machines operating well and being used correctly.

Firstly, ensure the teatcup liners are in good condition and that they are not nearing the end of their effective life (2500 cow milkings for rubber liners). Modern liners do not need "breaking in" before use on fresh cows or heifers. The liners must be at their most effective for massage of the teats. Liners also develop very small cracks over time, and these cracks can harbour bacteria, including the bacteria that cause mastitis.

Secondly, check that the milking machine has been recently tested and serviced. This will give you confidence that the tight, tender teats of freshly calved heifers and cows are being massaged by effective pulsation and that vacuum is set at the minimum level possible.

The first few minutes after milking while the teat orifice is still closing are critical in helping to prevent infection. Splashes of mud and manure onto teats and teat ends can place millions of potentially infectious bacteria into the area around the teat orifice (and cow manure is often the most common source of Strep uberis).

To reduce this risk, avoid the need for cows to walk, stand, or lie down in mud and/or manure for the first 20 minutes or so after milking. Critically examine the dairy exits and the laneways leading away from the dairy to see if improved drainage or regular cleaning will reduce the level of mud and cow manure and thus lower the risk of contaminating the teats of the recently milked cows.

Also ensure there is effective teat disinfection post-milking with good coverage from an effective teat spray product containing emollient (either ready-to-use or correctly mixed with high quality water).

SPRAYING ON TARGET

Jim Stranger, DPI Regional Chemical Standards Officer for Gippsland & Port Phillip East.

In the mid nineties, legislation came into force in Victoria making it an offence to cause damage by means of agricultural chemical spray drift. If spray drift affects plants, stock or land outside the target area, substantial penalties may apply.

The Chemical Standards Branch of the Department of Primary Industries typically receives an increased number of complaints of spray drift damage over spring.

It is the responsibility of all chemical users to apply pesticides carefully and according to label instructions to avoid off-target effects.

Applicators need to consider the following to minimise the risks of spray drift:

• Don’t spray if weather conditions, in particular, wind direction, are unsuitable or unstable.
• Use the minimum pressure required, and largest droplet size possible, for effective coverage.
• Reduce travel speed and spray nozzle height.
• Use low drift nozzles.
• Use equipment that is least likely to result in drift eg. shielded boom sprays, spray domes.
• Consider planting vegetative barriers between properties and along roadsides.
• Leave a spray free buffer zone between adjoining properties where possible.
• Be careful when using spray oils - some may increase spray droplet life and increase drift.
• Be aware of the location and requirements of Chemical Control Areas (CCAs)
• Avoid the use of ester herbicides (2,4-D ester and MCPA ester cannot be used at all in CCAs).

There is a great diversity of agricultural enterprises across the State. This sometimes leads to concern with chemical use where different farming systems adjoin each other. For example, grape growers are keen to protect their substantial investments from the risk of herbicide damage or contamination from chemicals applied on nearby grazing properties. Graziers may be concerned about pesticides used in vineyards drifting onto pastures with consequent risks of residues in animal products. The bottom line is that chemicals need to hit their target and not drift off and cause damage elsewhere.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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