Cows udder care before milking

Cattle health means a lot in the dairy industry as it directly affects product quality. Keeping the milking procedure safe and sterile is one of the main conditions that provide this quality.

Pre-milking udder dip is made to sanitize teats working zone, soften and moisturize it. This helps to avoid any injuries during the milking and guarantees that no bacterias and other microorganisms can get into the milk or attack cow’s udder through microcracks on the nipples. 

The threat of contamination comes from several sources:

— Manure bacterias (from the environment to cow);

— Lactation (from mother to calf);

— Poorly sterilized equipment (from cow to cow).

The pathogenic streptococcus and staphylococcus bacterias infiltrate through the dairy canal or trough udder sores and cracks on the nipples. This leads to mastitis, an udder disease that spoils all the milk that the cow produces and can result in an outbreak all over the farm. 

How to prevent mastitis

As a typical bacterial infection, mastitis needs specific preconditions to onset and progress. So for a dairy farm, it is really important to maintain the cleanliness of both the cattle yards and the equipment (including working clothes). Also, health and milk control can prevent the spreading of the disease if it is revealed on time, and the infected animals are isolated from the healthy ones. 

But what is even more crucial, the technical restrictions of the procedure must be strictly processed.

Before the milking, the udder should be cleaned with a special liquid that combines sterilizing and preparatory effects. After the procedure, it also should be treated with another mixture that forms a barrier for microorganisms and deters insects untill the next milking.

How does teat dip work

We propose special washing mixes for teat pre-milking dip: ITALMAS VD DEZ, ITALMAS VD DEZ-I, ITALMAS VD DEZ-M and others. They combine multiple active ingredients for multiple effects:

— Removal of the dirt. The washing agent dissolves dirt and removes it easily.

— Sterilizing of the working zone. Chlorhexidine, lactic acid, iodine, and other basic components kill all the bacterias and make the surface and the contacting equipment sterile.

— Moisturizing and elasticity improvement. The washing mix softens the skin and makes milking more comfortable and less traumatic. Which means fewer cracks and less danger of further contamination. 

All the products are biodegradable and non-toxic. They are completely safe for your staff and can be used with any equipment that supports pre-milking dip.