Dairy NZ

Expect high somatic cell counts (SCC) and clinicals

Due to missed milkings or a short term move to OAD farmers should expect big fluctuations in SCC and the likelihood of increased clinicals. Farmers can expect their bulk tank SCC to potentially double from their previous levels.

Be vigilant with mastitis detection

Vigilance is essential for the long-term health and productivity of the herd and for food safety. Increase your surveillance of the herd; look for signs of:

• Soreness and 'off-colour' cows
• Swollen, hard, hot or cold udders
• Clots in foremilk and milk that is an unusual colour or consistency
• Clots on filter stock

Resist the temptation to rush through milking

Hygiene in the milk shed is critical to stop the spread of mastitis:

• Apply cups to clean, dry teats
• Wear gloves or keep hands clean.

Farmers need to make sure that the cows are milked out fully, and that they strip out any they're suspicious of. Strip all cows for clinical signs when clots first appear on filter stock or bulk tank SCC spikes sharply.

Whilst normal milking is disrupted, stripping all cows more regularly will be wise. This will help milk let-down if cows are being milked in a strange environment as well as help find new clinical cases.

Identify and treat clinicals

A sudden spike in SCC in the bulk milk usually indicates new clinical cases, but milking disruptions can also increase the SCC. Hand-strip all cows to find new cases. You may want to get in extra staff to help with the stripping. Contact 0800 FARMING to access relief staff. If you don't have time to strip all cows, consider stripping one quarter per milking.

Don't forget to strip all newly calved cows at each milking for at least the first 4-5 days after calving, to find clinical mastitis.

• If you find a new clinical cow, draft her out before cupping her to reduce the spread of infection and avoid milk quality problems
• Treat clinicals with antibiotic treatments
• Follow MRS T (Mark, Record, Separate and Treat). Ensure everyone who is milking cows knows your MRS T system.

Teat spray

If cows are in muddy conditions or are walking on muddy tracks this is especially important.

• After each milking teat spray to reduce bacteria on teats. This will also reduce the incidence of new mastitis by 50%
• Use the spring mix recommended for your teat spray.  Consider adding extra emollient if teat condition is poor.  Refer to Healthy Udder for tips on making up teat spray correctly.
• Use good quality water i.e. water suitable for human consumption
• Mix new batches regularly (at least 2-3 times per week)
• Teats should be sprayed manually to ensure complete coverage after each milking
• Spray in a circular motion and cover all surfaces of the teats.

Treated cows

Milk treated cows last and separate from milking herd to reduce the spread of infection.

• Teat spray after every milking
• Strip to check for recovery of clinical signs after last treatment and at the end of the withholding period.

Check with your local dairy company area manager, field rep or service centre for the SCC tolerances they are accepting for pick-up.

If you are milking at your neighbours:

• Maintain the biosecurity between the groups of cows
• Segregate clinicals and flush cups between cow herds.

If you can:

Keep in mind walking distance and standing times. If cows are walking 6-7kms per day on races lameness may become an issue. You may have to arrange with the neighbour to keep some of them close to the shed to prevent lameness.