Hygienic measures in dairy farms from a veterinarian's perspective

The quality of raw milk produced in Germany is guaranteed by a milk quality control scheme conducted in accordance with EC standards. In addition, bec ause of its effect on the price paid for milk, the somatic cell count in bu lk milk is an indicator of udder health. Udder health can only be maintaine d by strict adherence to accepted control measures during milking, hygiene and prophylactic treatments. In 1998, a survey was conducted of approximate ly 5,000 Bavarian dairy herds whose owners had requested the help of the Ud der Health Service because of problems. In addition to other factors the su rvey analysed various housing systems, herd size, the type of pre-milking, teat cleaning, teat dipping and frequency of teat cup liner changes and the resulting withdrawal of milk payments due to an increase in somatic cell c ounts in bulk milk. The herds with reduced milk payments tended to be those with tethered houses and the smaller herds. The absence of applying the gl obally accepted measures such as incorrect pre-milking, unhygienic teat cle aning ol not teat dipping resulted in a greater likelihood of price deducti ons. A delay in the change of teat clip liners for more than six months had the same tendency. Hygienie and prophylactic treatments in the management of milking are important in optimising the health of the herd and contribut e considerably to the productive capacity of dairy farms.