Milk processors can apply stringent penalties if milk supplies are found to be positive for residues, according to Animal Health Ireland (AHI).

To ensure that no residue of antibiotic remains by the time the freshly-calved cow is milked into the bulk tank, it says, minimum dry periods and milk withholding times for antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) are in place.

However, in the absence of quotas, some farmers will have milked on for a little longer than previous years, which AHI has said may result in a shorter dry period for some cows.

If you did this, then AHI advises that you need to double-check that the dry period of every cow treated is at least as long as the minimum dry period of the DCT used.

Early lactation is a high risk time for bulk tank residues, particularly antibiotics, which is a serious food safety matter.

How to avoid antibiotic residue problems this spring: