Milk quality

A look outside the cow

Abstract

Milking system cleaning is an extremely important aspect of modern dairying. Many veterinarians are not involved in milk-quality programs, particularly those involving system cleaning. Veterinarians have the basic observational skills to make a difference on dairies by simply being in the parlor during wash-up and observing the process. Several simple basic tests can be performed when counts are elevated to determine the issues on the dairy. Veterinarians should be monitoring milk-quality records to bring added value to their producers by improving the overall quality of milk shipped from the dairies with which they work on a regular basis.