Joe Brown, full-time staff member with Eamonn Fagan, Lough Ree, Glasson, Co Longford, spraying the cows udders during evening milking. \ Ramona Farrelly
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I see SCC levels have increased on many farms already.
Heading into the autumn, when yields tail back, SCC tends to increase. Some farmers will strip every quarter at every milking, but this slows down milking a lot.
Others will strip one quarter at each milking, moving between quarters so all four are stripped every two days.
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Monitoring the milk sock is important too.
A lot of high SCC will be subclinical, with no clots.
Milk recording to identify the high cows is the only option to pick up subclinical mastitis.
Use the paddle test to identify which quarter is high and treat accordingly.
Of course, hygiene is critical to prevent the spread of infection. Wearing gloves while milking and post-milking teat-spraying/dipping is important also. Make sure the whole teat is covered.
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I see SCC levels have increased on many farms already.
Heading into the autumn, when yields tail back, SCC tends to increase. Some farmers will strip every quarter at every milking, but this slows down milking a lot.
Others will strip one quarter at each milking, moving between quarters so all four are stripped every two days.
Monitoring the milk sock is important too.
A lot of high SCC will be subclinical, with no clots.
Milk recording to identify the high cows is the only option to pick up subclinical mastitis.
Use the paddle test to identify which quarter is high and treat accordingly.
Of course, hygiene is critical to prevent the spread of infection. Wearing gloves while milking and post-milking teat-spraying/dipping is important also. Make sure the whole teat is covered.
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