II - Milking Parlour Procedures

Question 1

Milking parlor procedures vary across dairies. A “complete” procedure includes:

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)
2. Forestripping - removing a few streams of milk from each quarter
3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip
4. Attach milking machine
5. Remove machine - most remove themselves once milk flow becomes low
6. Post-milking teat disinfection

This step could increase the risk of spreading contagious mastitis pathogens. It is the one step most commonly removed from milking parlor procedures because it is perceived as slowing down the milking process. However, when done properly, it actually results in faster completion of milking and increased parlor efficiency.

Answer 1

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)

Question 2

Milking parlor procedures vary across dairies. A “complete” procedure includes:

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)
2. Forestripping - removing a few streams of milk from each quarter
3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip
4. Attach milking machine
5. Remove machine - most remove themselves once milk flow becomes low
6. Post-milking teat disinfection

Which step in the milking procedure helps control environmental mastitis pathogens?

Answer 2

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)

Question 3

Milking parlor procedures vary across dairies. A “complete” procedure includes:

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)
2. Forestripping - removing a few streams of milk from each quarter
3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip
4. Attach milking machine
5. Remove machine - most remove themselves once milk flow becomes low
6. Post-milking teat disinfection

This step provides the best stimulation for oxytocin release and milk letdown, helps identify cows with clinical mastitis, and result in faster milk out if timed properly with machine attachment.

Answer 3

2. Forestripping - removing a few streams of milk from each quarter

Question 4

Milking parlor procedures vary across dairies. A “complete” procedure includes:

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)
2. Forestripping - removing a few streams of milk from each quarter
3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip
4. Attach milking machine
5. Remove machine - most remove themselves once milk flow becomes low
6. Post-milking teat disinfection

Effective implementation of this step (i.e. complete teat coverage) is a key method of controlling contagious mastitis pathogens.

Answer 4

6. Post-milking teat disinfection

Question 5

Milking parlor procedures vary across dairies. A “complete” procedure includes:

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)
2. Forestripping - removing a few streams of milk from each quarter
3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip
4. Attach milking machine
5. Remove machine - most remove themselves once milk flow becomes low
6. Post-milking teat disinfection

Milk could be spread from cow to cow during this step, which is why you shouldn’t use the same towel on more than one cow. You can use five towels on the same cow but no more than one cow per towel.

Answer 5

3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip

Question 6

Milking parlor procedures vary across dairies. A “complete” procedure includes:

1. Pre-milking teat disinfection (pre-dip)
2. Forestripping - removing a few streams of milk from each quarter
3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip
4. Attach milking machine
5. Remove machine - most remove themselves once milk flow becomes low
6. Post-milking teat disinfection

When forestripping is not performed as part of the milk procedure, this step will provide the most stimulation for oxytocin release and milk letdown. Oxytocin results in mammary gland alveoli contracting and releasing milk into the gland cistern (milk letdown).

Answer 6

3. Drying - drying off the pre-dip