Effects of various methods of udder and teat preparation for milking on the hygienic quality of milk

The study was carried out on 103 family farms in the Wielkopolska region. The average number of cows in each herd was 18.7. An interview was conducted on each of the farms in order to determine the method of udder and teat preparation for milking. Next, the results of laboratory analysis of bulk tank milk for somatic cell count (SCC) and total microorganism count (TMC) were collected. Prior to statistical analysis the data for SCC and TMC were transformed using the natural logarithm. Foremilking using a forestripper was associated with lower SCC (12.28 vs. 12.41; p<0.01) and OLD (10.71 vs. 11.08, p<0.01) compared to foremilking without a forestripper. Herds in which foremilking was performed before udder and teat cleaning were characterized by having a higher SCC and lower TMC, as compared with herds where both routines were performed in reverse order (12.39 vs. 12.20; p<0.01 and 10.73 vs. 11.06; p<0.01, respectively). The lowest SCC was found in herds where udders and teats were cleaned prior to milking by washing with water containing a disinfectant or wiping with a dry towel (12.10 and 12.22, respectively; non significant difference). A significantly (p<0.01) higher level of SCC was found in herds where wiping with a cotton towel soaked with pure water or teat dipping in a soaking foam was practiced (12.35 and 12.58; respectively); the difference between both methods was also significant (p<0.01). Contrary to SCC, no between-group differences were observed for TMC. Significant interactions were found both for SCC and TMC between the sequence of foremilking and the method of udder and teat cleaning. These interactions indicate that foremilking should precede udder and teat cleaning where these are wiped with a dry towel or the teats dipped in soaking foam; on the other hand, foremilking following udder and teat cleaning is a better option in the case of the two remaining methods.