Udder Hygiene

Ideally, pre-cleaning ensures a soft and elastic teat skin for an easier and more relaxed milking process. Optimum teat conditioning (irritation-reduced and gentle cleaning) is rewarded by the cow with better acceptance of the cleaning and appropriate stimulation before the milking process.

Common pathogens are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis or even Escherichia coli (E. coli). You can find out more here.

They spread in different ways. Some tend to spread via cross-contamination during milking, some as environmental germs in the barn (e.g. in dung). Some are already present on the teat skin as part of the natural skin flora. They only become a problem when the natural protective acid barrier of the healthy teat skin is disturbed.

High standards of barn hygiene already significantly lower the risk of infection. Cows are particularly susceptible during the dry period (rarely and controllable) or at each milking (extremely frequent). Further expert questions on this page explain how to achieve a high level of udder protection for cows. Information on the important intermediate cluster disinfection can be found here.

Teat cleaning before milking is the most important preventative measure. Dirty teats are carriers of pathogens (pathogenic germs) . If not removed, they possibly enter the udder via the teat canal during milking and cause infections. Cracked teat skin as a result of milking stress is another route of infection.

The pathogens can also spread to the milk and other animals. Such cross-contamination is particularly treacherous as it can quickly spread to your entire herd. After milking, teat disinfection by spraying and dipping ("teat dipping") is crucial. In addition, the milk-bearing rubber parts and teat liners ought to be disinfected after each milking.

After milking, the udder of a dairy cow is particularly at risk. The teat canal takes up to 60 minutes (!) to close again after milking, depending on the cow's performance, lactation phase, breed and genetics. However, an unclosed teat canal provides direct access to the udder for harmful pathogens. A very effective route of infection! 

Good dipping or spraying agents provide effective protection for the udder until the teat canal is completely closed. Active disinfectants are helpful as well as a physical barrier through film formation (barrier dip).

Indispensable in this context are skin-caring ingredients that effectively buffer the negative effects of stress on the skin during the milking process. Allantoin, glycerine and lanolin are predominantly used for this purpose.

Flies are repelled from the udder by odorous substances, e.g. natural peppermint

We differentiate between active disinfectants and nurturing substances. 

Depending on the environment, lactic acid, chlorhexidine, iodine or chlorine dioxide are suitable as active substances for disinfection. The individual teats can be treated by spraying or dipping.

Allantoin, glycerine and lanolin are suitable skin-caring additives. The respective combination needs to be tailored to match the disinfectant. Urea, sorbitol or panthenol can also be used, although they are more suitable for use in pure care products. You may find more information on their properties here.

A blue dye in the MS/CHG and chlorine dioxide products visualises the dipping or spraying process and helps to successfully identify and eliminate flaws in the application.