Latest News From Milk Quality

How Does Postmilking Teat Disinfection Work?
How Does Postmilking Teat Disinfection Work?

More than 50% of new udder infections can be prevented by disinfecting teats with an effective product immediately after every milking.

Seasonal SCC highs since 2015 are now below the seasonal low for 2008.
Somatic Cell Counts Fall to Lowest Levels Ever in Upper Midwest

Wisconsin reports the lowest state average, at 175,000 cells/mL, of the seven states or portions of states represented in the Upper Midwest Order.

10 Ways to Improve Early Lactation Performance and Peak Milk Yield
10 Ways to Improve Early Lactation Performance and Peak Milk Yield

Peak milk indicates how well the cow responds to feeding practices during the dry period, calving and early lactation periods.

Shorten Milk Hoses to Improve Vacuum Level
Shorten Milk Hoses to Improve Vacuum Level

Raise peak milk flow for better milk harvest.

Train milkers to follow proper milking procedures.
Dairy MMA: Parlor Throughput vs. Optimal Milk Harvest

Following proper milking procedures can achieve the desired balance between parlor throughput and optimal milk production.

Lowering Somatic Cell Counts in Milk
Lowering Somatic Cell Counts in Milk

There are some simple and practical steps you can take that can help lower somatic cell counts on your farm.

Make The Right Mastitis Treatment Decisions
Make The Right Mastitis Treatment Decisions

Use on-farm culturing to determine proper care.

Certain bacteria will grow on specific agar contained with in petri dishes.
DHM How To: Culture To Achieve A Bacteriological Cure

Set up a culturing lab to identify the causes of mastitis and treat accordingly.

Cows with mastitis need to be treated according to the pathogen causing the problem.
DHM How To: Identify Cows With Mastitis

Make sure your milker team understands what mastitis looks like and what to do when they see a cow with mastitis.

What Are the Options for Non-saleable (Waste) Milk?
What Are the Options for Non-saleable (Waste) Milk?

While maximizing the value of your milk is critical, careful consideration should be given to the choices for using or disposing of waste milk.

DHM How To: Protect the Cow After Milking
DHM How To: Protect the Cow After Milking

Prevent future mastitis cases through an effective post-dip regimen.

UPDATE: Search for Suspects in Fair Oaks Farm Investigation
UPDATE: Search for Suspects in Fair Oaks Farm Investigation

Authorities charge three people in alleged abuse at Fair Oaks Farms and continue interviews with other persons of interest.

UPDATE: Search for Suspects in Fair Oaks Farm Investigation
UPDATE: Search for Suspects in Fair Oaks Farm Investigation

Authorities charge three people in alleged abuse at Fair Oaks Farms and continue interviews with other persons of interest.

DHM How To: Remove Milking Units and Clean
DHM How To: Remove Milking Units and Clean

The timing of unit removal is important in harvesting the most milk possible while managing teat health.

DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment
DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment

Cows are creatures of habit, so keep it consistent inside the parlor.

DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment
DHM How To: Create An Optimal Milking Environment

Cows are creatures of habit, so keep it consistent inside the parlor.

Getting units on quickly is important for faster parlor throughput. Making sure the units are aligned properly under the udder leads to better milk harvest.
DHM How To: Properly Attach Milking Units

The method for attaching units to udders has changed as technology and equipment capacity has evolved.

Somatic Cell Counts - How Low is Too Low?
Somatic Cell Counts - How Low is Too Low?

The pursuit of lower somatic cell counts to achieve milk quality goals leads some to wonder if the cow's immune response is compromised.

Protocols: Easy to Write, Hard to Follow
Protocols: Easy to Write, Hard to Follow

American agriculture can feed the world but struggles to manage its employees.

Proper pre-dip protocol helps reduce bacteria levels on the teat prior to milking.
DHM How To: Prepare Your Cow For Milking

Use the proper protocols prior to milking to reduce bacteria load on the teat and improve milk quality.

Don’t Let Spring Cause Your Somatic Cell Count to Spike
Don’t Let Spring Cause Your Somatic Cell Count to Spike

April showers bring May flowers, but it can also bring mastitis and a sudden increase in somatic cell count levels.

Research on carcass quality and milk components shed light on the Jersey vs. Holstein debate.
Research Settles the Jersey vs. Holstein Debate, Kind of - pg. 2

From carcass quality to milk composition, we discuss the deeper issues within the Holstein vs. Jersey debate.

Colostrum Comes First
Colostrum Comes First

Calves need at least a gallon of quality colostrum as soon as possible after birth.

What are Your Milking Efficiency Goals?
What are Your Milking Efficiency Goals?

Get maximum milk flow when units are on.

Prudent Antibiotic Use, Revisited
Prudent Antibiotic Use, Revisited

Think before you treat and consider all your options.

7 Tips for Better Milk Quality
7 Tips for Better Milk Quality

Herds that produce quality milk follow these factors.

Milk Quality: Compare Mastitis Treatment Products
Milk Quality: Compare Mastitis Treatment Products

The table below lists products available to use for treating cows at dry off and for treatment of mastitis during lactation. When using any antibiotic, be sure to consult your herd veterinarian.

Dickrell's Diary: Even With Lower Premiums, Milk Quality Pays

As premiums for milk quality continue to erode across the country, some dairy farmers wonder why they should bother to shoot for ever lower somatic cells counts (SCCs).

Dickrell's Diary: Even With Lower Premiums, Milk Quality Pays
Dickrell's Diary: Even With Lower Premiums, Milk Quality Pays

As premiums for milk quality continue to erode across the country, some dairy farmers wonder why they should bother to shoot for ever lower somatic cells counts (SCCs).

Control Colostrum Quality From the Cow to the Calf
Control Colostrum Quality From the Cow to the Calf

Maintain quality from the cow to the calf.

Are You Overmilking?
Are You Overmilking?

Watch the time between when milking stops and the unit comes off.

There are a variety of treatments to enhance the production of quality milk.
Compare Mastitis Treatment Products

Use this comparison table to determine what product might be right for you.

Removing milker units more quickly should make the cow more comfortable, reduce the risk of mastitis and enhance animal well-being.
Adjusting Cluster Removal Saves Time Without Affecting Production

Removing the milker unit more quickly reduces the potential for overmilking and its related impact on teat tissue condition.

They Haven't Used a Lactation Tube in 68 Months--and Counting

A fluids-only approach works well for this dairy.

They Haven't Used a Lactation Tube in 68 Months--and Counting
They Haven't Used a Lactation Tube in 68 Months--and Counting

A fluids-only approach works well for this dairy.

Keep Colostrum Equipment Clean!
Keep Colostrum Equipment Clean!

When harvesting colostrum, it is imperative to keep cleanliness on your mind.

As You Keep Cows Longer, Mastitis Increases in Concern
As You Keep Cows Longer, Mastitis Increases in Concern

Genetic selection goals may have to be adjusted

World-renowned presenters discuss mastitis, milk’s value, and communications.
NMC Annual Meeting Draws Milk Quality Experts from 23 Countries

World-renowned presenters discuss mastitis, milk’s value, and communications.

FARM Animal Care Program Turns 10 Years Old
FARM Animal Care Program Turns 10 Years Old

The FARM Animal Care Program turns 10 years old in 2019. It is administered by the National Milk Producers Federation and Dairy Management Incorporated. AgDay and U.S. Farm Report national reporter Betsy Jibben has more.

Animals determined to have subclinical mastitis show no clinical signs or visible changes in the milk, but they do have a SCC greater than 200,000.
Selecting for Subclinical Mastitis Resistance

Heifers who enter the milking herd with SCM will often have a lower lifetime productivity and profitability in the future.

Annual, Biological Rhythms Govern Milk Production in Dairy Cows
Annual, Biological Rhythms Govern Milk Production in Dairy Cows

The amount and composition of milk produced by dairy cows appears to be more regulated by internal, annual biological rhythms than by environmental factors such as heat and humidity, according to Penn State researchers.

Analyzing The Use of Selective Dry Cow Therapy
Analyzing The Use of Selective Dry Cow Therapy

The concept of dry cow therapy started in the late 1960’s with the objective of reducing the risks for intramammary infections during the dry period and in the early stages of the subsequent lactation.

How Clean Should Your Milk Parlor Be?
How Clean Should Your Milk Parlor Be?

Cleanliness is key to quality milk.

Registration Now Open for the NMC 58th Annual Meeting in Savannah
Registration Now Open for the NMC 58th Annual Meeting in Savannah

The National Mastitis Council (NMC) 58th Annual Meeting annual meeting is designed for all individuals interested in mastitis control, quality milk production and udder health.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Milk Supply Safety
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Milk Supply Safety

J.J. Pagel, with Pagels Ponderosa Dairy; Jamie Witcpalek with Pagels Ponderosa Dairy; Chris Szydel, with Pagels Ponderosa Dairy; Brandon Treichler, a veterinarian and Jamie Jonker with the NMPF.

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Milk Supply Safety
A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Milk Supply Safety

J.J. Pagel, with Pagels Ponderosa Dairy; Jamie Witcpalek with Pagels Ponderosa Dairy; Chris Szydel, with Pagels Ponderosa Dairy; Brandon Treichler, a veterinarian and Jamie Jonker with the NMPF.

The keys to reducing mastitis is to have treatment protocols in place, preventing new infections and selecting cattle that are resistant to mastitis infecitons.
200,000 Somatic Cell Count Isn’t Good Enough

For every 100,000 cells/mL increase in bulk tank SCC, milk yield declines 5.5 lb.

The hyperkeratosis represented in this picture is a a result of improper machine function.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

New resource helps diagnose read end issues.

The Lactococcus infections might not respond to most forms of antibiotic therapy.
New Type of Mastitis Becoming More Prevalent, Difficult to Treat

Lactococcus infections are often difficult to differentiate from environmental steps.