Managing teat health
Topics
5 min read
Healthy teats are the first line of defence against mastitis. If you get teat health right, somatic cell count (SCC), milk quality, and cow health get a lot easier. Looking after teats is crucial in dairy farming. Damaged teat ends and rough dry teat skin allows bacteria to multiply increasing the risk of mastitis, pain and inflammation for the cow. This page outlines what good teat health looks like, what can lead to poor teat health and how to fix it. Teat spraying is a critical piece of the teat health puzzle; it is about teat skin health as much as disinfection.
Healthy teats
What they look like
- Smooth skin – no cracks, scabs, or roughness.
- Soft and supple – not dry or chapped.
- Teat end is flat and clean – not raised or “ringed”.
- Natural colour – not red, blue, or swollen.
What they feel like
- Slightly firm but not hard or swollen after milking.
- No heat or pain when handled.
- Even shape - not distorted or thickened at the end.
What healthy teats mean for your herd
Easier to keep cows clean and infection-free, which results in lower individual cow SCC, meaning lower risk of mastitis and a more stable bulk milk SCC (BMSCC).
Find out more about what healthy teats look like.
Unhealthy teats
What they look like
- Rough skin – cracks, scabs, or flaking present.
- Dry and chapped – lacking moisture and condition.
- Teat end is raised, thickened, or “ringed”.
- Abnormal colour – red, blue, or swollen appearance.
What they feel like
- Hard, swollen, or congested after milking.
- May feel hot or sensitive when handled.
- Uneven shape - thickened, distorted, or calloused at the end.
What unhealthy teats mean for your herd
Dry, cracked or damaged teat skin and damaged teat ends are a perfect location for bacteria to live and multiply, putting cows at much greater risk of mastitis. Unhealthy teats are harder to clean and are also painful - leading to poor cow behaviour during milking, poor milk let-down and higher individual cow SCC resulting in less control of BMSCC.
Factors that contribute to unhealthy teats
| Category | Factor | Details/Impact |
| Milking machine issues | Over-milking | Cups left on after milk flow stops, expose the teat to high vacuum with no milk flow. This is one of the biggest drivers of teat end damage. |
| Vacuum problems | High vacuum levels cause excessive stress on the teat end; vacuum fluctuations impact blood flow and tissue health. | |
| Poor pulsation | Incorrect ratio or timing means the teat doesn't get enough 'rest phase'. | |
| Worn or incorrect liners | Old liners lose shape and grip, and incorrect liner fit for teat size causes uneven pressure and irritation. | |
| Environment | Exposure to mud | Softens teat skin; increases bacterial load. |
| Wind and cold | Causes chapping and cracking. | |
| Teat spray issues | Under-conditioning | Not enough emollient leading to dry, cracked skin. |
| Poor coverage | Leaves parts of the teat exposed and vulnerable. | |
| Milking routine problems | Poor milking practices | Cupping dirty teats, rough cup removal, and inconsistent routines between staff all increase physical stress on the teat end. |
Monitoring teat health
The video below explains everything you need to know about monitoring teat health
Reducing mastitis with Steve Cranefield
Video 12:38 min
You have a problem with teat damage if:
- More than 5% of cows have a sore or wound on the teat.
- More than 10% of cows have dry teat skin.
- More than 20% of cows have rough teat-ends.
Ways to assess and remedy teat damage
Teat score your herd – you can either do this yourself following the instructions in the video above, or ask your vet about teat scoring.
Get advice from accredited vets, NZMPTA machine testers, your dairy company milk quality advisors or Milk quality consultants: AsureQuality and QCONZ.
Improve teat spray technique and coverage.
Improve teat spraying mix. Check the right mix is being used, for teat and weather conditions.
Arrange a milking machine test to check for machine faults that may be causing problems.
Find out more about managing teat sores and cracks with the Mastitis technote 9. We recommend reviewing and discussing the technote alongside your veterinarian.
Teat spraying/disinfection
In New Zealand, teat sanitising usually refers to teat spraying or dipping, carried out immediately after cups have been removed. This can be a manual or automated process. it is about teat skin health as much as disinfection.
Teat spraying looks simple and this probably explains why so many people get it wrong. The effectiveness of teat spraying or dipping relies on complete coverage of the teat.
The importance of teat spraying
Teat spraying after milking has been shown to reduce the occurrence of new mastitis infections by around 50%. This can significantly reduce the time and cost associated with treating mastitis and managing milk from infected cows. Teat spraying also helps minimise the risk of elevated BMSCC grades from dairy companies, which can result from both subclinical and clinical infections.
Teat spraying is a method to prevent mastitis in cows, focusing on the correct coverage and preparation of the teat spray solution. Regular checks of your equipment and mixing process can ensure that the spraying is effective and helps avoid increases in mastitis infections.
In addition, teat spray helps maintain teat condition, reducing cow discomfort and poor milking behaviour associated with painful or damaged teats. Well-conditioned teats are also easier to keep clean, as dirt does not adhere as easily, reducing the time required for teat cleaning before milking. Overall, teat spraying is one of the most effective mastitis control measures available, but its success depends on it being applied correctly and consistently.
Teat spray products
Teat disinfection products must be approved to ensure they won’t result in undesirable milk residues.
A list of approved chemicals is available on the New Zealand Food Safety website or you can contact a Milk Quality Representative from your dairy company. The two main types are iodine-based and chlorhexidine-based.
How to teat spray correctly
It is important to teat spray all teats of all cows immediately after every milking, and throughout the whole lactation period. Cover the whole teat of every cow to maximise effectiveness.
Teat spraying before cup attachment increases the risk of milk contamination and there are strict criteria associated with this practice. If you wish to do it contact a Milk Quality representative from your dairy company and ensure you are carrying out the correct technique.
Common errors
- Failure to cover the whole teat of every cow at every milking.
- Using incorrectly diluted teat sprays.
Teat spray mixture procedure
- Mix new batches of teat spray at regular intervals, ideally every 1 – 3 days.
- Use water of drinking quality.
- Mix according to the label. Some products suggest different dilution rates depending on the stage of the season and the risk of mastitis.
- Maintain 15-20% emollient in the final mix, to improve teat skin condition, increasing concentration during high-challenge times.
- Display the mixing procedure clearly, preferably at the place where it will be mixed.
Watch the video below for teat spraying technique.
Teat Spraying
Video 1:35 min
Types of teat spray systems
Teat spray units come in manual and automated forms; there are advantages and disadvantages of each system.
| System | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Hand pump |
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| Pressurised sprayer |
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| Teat dip |
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| Automatic sprayer |
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Practical tips to ensure your teat spray system is working effectively
Regularly test teat spray effectiveness by wrapping a paper towel around teats just sprayed to check if disinfectant is covering all surfaces.
Test the nozzle performance by checking the spray pattern. Spray upwards onto a sheet of paper or surface. A solid cone of spray should be achieved.
Have spray units placed at various locations around the dairy shed so time is not wasted walking to pick up the spray unit.
Try to place teat spray nozzles downwind of work areas where possible to avoid inhaling fine mists of chemical.
Additional resources
Manage teat sores and cracks - Smartsamm Technote 9
Resources
Mastitis
How to manage teat sores and cracks
Healthy Udder Guide
Resources
Mastitis
This guide provides practical "step by step" tips for preventing, finding and treating mastitis.
Additional links
Mastitis Advisors
/animal/mastitis/mastitis-advisors/
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