Approaches of Milking Biosecurity and Milking Parlour Hygiene in Dairy Farms

Abstract

Control of diseases in dairy farms is based on various management factors, such as separation of dairy farms from other domestic and wild animal species, control of human circulation and contact with cows, cleaning and disinfection of vehicles, equipment, surfaces, and other unanimated secondary sources of contamination, feed and water hygiene, waste management, and management of technological processes (e.g., calving management, colostrum management, and milking management). In dairy farms, the milking parlour surfaces should be cleaned regularly and disinfected twice daily to avoid the multiplication of pathogens. Some biosecurity measures that can prevent the spreading of mastitis in dairy farms are the use of personal protective equipment (e.g., milkers’ gloves and milker overall), treatment of all infected quarters at the end of lactation (blanket dry cow treatment), removal of udder hair (shaving or singeing), and washing unclean udders. This chapter details biosecurity and hygiene solutions in the cattle milking parlour.