Effect of Tail Docking on Udder Hygiene and Milk Quality

Authors

  • D. A. Schreiner University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706
  • P. L. Ruegg University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20025039

Keywords:

udder hygiene, intramammary infection, tail docking, cow cleanliness

Abstract

Pre-milking udder hygiene can affect the rate of intramammary infection and bacterial numbers in milk. A study which monitored 413 dairy cows for two months to determine effects of tail docking on cow cleanliness and udder health reported no significant effect, but the study's ability to detect differences was low. This study looked at the specific effect of tail docking on somatic cell count (SCC), intramammary infection (MI) and udder and leg cleanliness in commercial dairy herds.

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Published

2002-09-26

Issue

Section

Research Summaries - Dairy I

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