Why is this important?
Teat spraying helps to reduce bacterial numbers on teat skin after milking, keep teat skin supple and healthy, reduce risk of new infections by 50% in lactating cows.
You have ineffective teat spraying if:
- More than 5% of cows have teat damage or sores - see Healthy Udder, Prevent 4 for examples of damage.
- Teat condition is generally dry or rough.
- Volume used/cow/milking is less than recommended i.e:20 ml for hand-held spray stystems or 30 ml for auto sprayer
- Clinical cases are above average - see Industry Benchmarks
- Clinical cases are above trigger - see Mastitis Focus.
Your options include:
- Improve teat condition. See:
- Healthy Udder - Prevent 4 for examples of damage
- Guideline 9.1 for more on assessing teat condition.
- Improve spray technique and coverage. See:
- Healthy Udder - Prevent 2 for tips on checking coverage
- Guideline 7.7 for ways to check sprayer technique and volumes used.
- Improve teat spraying mix. Check the right mix is being used, for teat and weather conditions. See:
- Healthy Udder - Prevent 3 for tips on making up teat spray
- Guideline 7.5 for information on adding additional emollient.
- Get help - your supplier of teat spray product or equipment, milk quality advisor or vet can help spot problems with teat spray performance.
Useful Resources:
- Correct teat spraying technique, coverage and mix:
- Healthy Udder - Prevent 2
- Healthy Udder - Prevent 3
- Maintaining equipment:
- Guideline 24: Service teat spray units and review teat disinfectant to be used
- Teat damage and its causes:
- Guideline 9: Manage teat sores and cracks.