The importance of teat disinfection in mastitis control

Abstract

Teat disinfection in dairy herds is an important part of mastitis control, both to reduce infection pressure from the environment and to reduce risk of transmission of infection between cows. Despite much focus on mastitis as an endemic disease, clinical and subclinical mastitis remains an issue for many UK herds, often leading to a perception that changing the teat disinfection product may provide quick solutions. This article summarises the types of products available for both pre- and post-milking teat disinfection, the aim of both types of teat disinfectant and how they may be applied.