With cows fully housed around the country and the majority of those dried off, one of the main focuses over the dry period will be ensuring good hygiene on farms.
Good hygiene is one of the most important factors in aiming to prevent new infections during the dry period.
This begins during the drying-off process and continues throughout the period. The first two weeks after drying-off remain the most high-risk time until the teat end has had a chance to seal properly.
This means the cleaning and dusting of cubicles on farms is a must for the final stages of lactation and throughout the dry period. Whether milking or dry, dairy cows require a clean and dry bed to lie on during the housing period.
Ensuring these beds remain clean and dry is of the utmost importance for the months ahead. This will reduce the number of mastitis cases during early-lactation and allow for a successful 2021 lactation.
Teagasc research officer, David Gleeson, has recommended using hydrated lime or ground limestone on cubicles. These products are effective at disinfecting the cubicles without damaging cows’ teats, according to David. A dust mask is also recommended when using hydrated lime.
Lime is effective by increasing the pH of the cubicle bed surface, which suppresses bacterial growth.
David stressed the importance of using the recommended levels of these products, as excessive amounts may lead to damaged teats, due to the drying properties of lime, while underuse may reduce the effectiveness of the product being used.