Search Results (9)

Pre- and post-milking teat antisepsis is one of the most effective methods for reducing the incidence of mastitis. Plant extracts have proven effective in reducing microorganisms, providing a natural alternative for antisepsis, along with additional benefits for teat health. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial and antiseptic effects of two newly formulated products, used as pre-dipping and post-dipping agents, respectively, based on plant extracts from papain (Carica papaya), aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis), andiroba (Carapa guianensis), copaiba (Copaifera officinalis), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), and barbatimão (Stryphnodendron barbatiman). Minimum inhibitory concentration tests were performed in vitro, along with microbiological analyses of different bacterial groups and in vivo compliance assessments to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the formulations, as well as the molecular identification of Staphylococcus aureus. The results demonstrated that the products were effective in vitro against the main pathogens that cause mastitis, including Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. In the in vivo assays, similar performance was observed between the tested products and the control products, indicating that the plant-extract-based formulations, applied as pre-dipping and post-dipping agents, effectively reduced the microbial load on the teats. The effects were equivalent to those of hydrogen-peroxide- and iodine-based products, being able to reduce the total microbial load by more than 80%. Full article

Intermediate cluster disinfection plays a vital role in preventing the transmission of mastitis pathogens during milking. This study evaluates the efficacy of different disinfection methods on teat liners through a randomized controlled field trial conducted on three dairy farms in Germany. The treatments assessed included dipping the liners in water, peracetic acid solution (PAS, 0.1%), and plasma-activated buffered solution (PABS). Total bacterial count (TBC) and the bacterial load of presumptive Staphylococcus (S.) aureus were measured using the wet–dry swab method. The results showed that PAS significantly reduced both TBC and S. aureus by 90% and 99%, respectively. PABS also demonstrated a significant reduction in the bacterial load of S. aureus. In contrast, dipping in water had no significant effect on either TBC or S. aureus bacterial counts. This study suggests that while PAS is the more effective disinfectant, PABS may offer an alternative with some antimicrobial activity. Further research on intermediate cluster disinfection in general is necessary to optimize its application and assess its long-term effectiveness in dairy farming practices. Full article

The purpose of milking machines is to harvest milk at optimal quality and speed, while maintaining animal comfort and teat defense mechanisms against invading mastitis pathogens. Therefore, the milking machine is a very important piece of equipment on dairy farms to maintain a long healthy lactation by following the physiological conditions of the udder. The mechanical forces during long-term machine milking processes lead to changes in the teat tissue. This effect is related to the degree of adaptation of the milking machines to the physiological requirements of the individual udder anatomy and the physiological conditions of the lactating animals. If both, milking machine settings and liner design are not suitable for all teats and animals on the farm, some animals will not be fully milked, the teat condition will deteriorate over time and in the end, they may suffer from mastitis. Therefore, maintaining healthy udders and teats during milking is a central key component of an effective milking machine to produce good milk yield with higher quality by preventing mastitis and maintaining animal health and welfare. On large and thick teats, conventional liners often fit too tight, causing a massive mechanical stress load on the tissue. On small teats, however, they often do not adhere sufficiently close to the teat which can cause a considerable air admission and hence liner slips. The new liners, “Stimulor^® StressLess” (Siliconform, Türkheim, Germany), have a wave-like lip construction and adapt well to the different teat sizes in a herd, thus ensuring consistent milking of lactating animals. A proper milking machine accommodates all teat sizes and forms, has a low vacuum to effectively open the teat and to stimulate physiological milk release and letdown. In addition, the right pulsation rate will maintain a stable vacuum on the teat area during milking. In conclusion, an ideal milking machine adapts to the morphological, anatomical, and physiological characteristics of the udder and teats of the lactating animals and it should achieve a physiologically ideal milking process that meets high animal welfare standards and increases milk production with a high quality standard. Full article

Copaiba oil-resin (COR) extracted from Copaifera reticulata Ducke has been used as a natural chemotherapeutic agent for a wide range of therapeutic applications. This study presents an emulgel design with a high concentration of COR, designed to prevent and treat mastitis. The COR was stabilized in a gel matrix constituted by carbopol C934P and Pluronic^® F127 (ECO formulation) ratios. The permeation study of ECO was accessed by Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS). The results reveal a high capacity of ECO to permeate deep skin layers. Dairy cows with a history of mastitis were used as in vivo models and exposed to ECO treatment. Monitoring of the teat’s inflammatory response showed that ECO effectively prevents mastitis. Furthermore, the ECO formulation was able to form a thin film gel on the application side, preventing fly proliferation and significantly reducing the pathogen load. This study reveals a drug that can used as an alternative application for mastitis in human or veterinary clinics. Full article

The milk quantity of dairy cows is the most important piece of data in farm management. However, it is difficult to measure and record the milk quantity for small-scale dairy farms. Therefore, the automatic milk quantity recording system for small-scale dairy farms is studied. It consists of a weight scale mechanism and an embedded system installed on a wheelbarrow for measuring and recording milk quantity. For the process of the system, the milk quantity of each cow is measured based on the load cell in kilogram units. The data such as real-time clock, cow ID, and individual and total milk quantity are recorded on a microSD memory card and sent based on the Internet of Things (IoT) for recording in a Google sheet. Furthermore, the system can alert the farmers to remove the teat cups when the cow milk comes to the end by detecting the derivative of milk quantity with respect to time. The experimental results show that the proposed system can correctly measure and record milk quantity. This system can help the farmers in improving and managing dairy farms effectively. Full article

During the first days of a calf’s life, the foundations are laid for successful growth and thus also for the later performance of the cows. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact on the weight gain of newborn calves due to important management factors related to colostrum supply, iron supply, feeding regime and microbial load at first feeding. In spring 2017, information of 123 Holstein calves were analyzed with regard to the colostrum supply and management factors on eight commercial dairy farms located in Germany. Additionally, blood samples of newborn calves were analyzed for total immunoglobulin G (IgG) and serum iron content. Furthermore, Brix analysis and analysis of contamination by E. coli were performed on first colostrum samples from teats or buckets. Average daily weight gain of calves at days 14 and 50 was calculated. The colostrum IgG was estimated by Brix refractometer. The volume of initial colostrum supply and the time between birth and colostrum intake significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the serum IgG concentration. The serum IgG concentration, the serum iron concentration and the feeding regimen (restrictive or not restrictive feeding) had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on daily weight gains. In conclusion, this study shows that, in addition to a sufficient supply of immunoglobulins, other aspects, such as an adequate colostrum, iron and milk supply, play an essential role in calf growth rates. Full article

In order to reduce antimicrobial treatment and prevent environmental mastitis, the aim of the present study was to investigate associations between herd level factors and microbial load on teat ends with environmental mastitis pathogens. Quarterly farm visits of 31 dairy farms over a one-year period were used for statistical analysis. During each farm visit, teat-skin swabs, bedding and air samples were taken and management practices and herd parameters were documented. Total mesophilic bacteria, esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria were examined in the laboratory procedures from teat skin and environmental samples. Esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria on teat ends increased with high temperature–humidity indices (THI) in the barn during the spring and summer. Significantly more coliform bacteria on teat ends were found in herds with an increased percentage of normal or slightly rough teat ends. Cleaning cubicles more frequently, pre-cleaning teats before milking as well as post-dipping them after milking had a decreasing effect of teat-skin load with total mesophilic and coliform bacteria at the herd level. To conclude, teat-skin bacterial load with environmental pathogens is subject to fluctuations and can be influenced by aspects of farm hygiene. Full article

During milking the teat cup liner is the interface between the teat of a dairy cow and the milking system, so it should be very well adapted to the teat. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of liner type on the directly measuring teat load caused by a collapsing liner with a pressure-indicating film. The Extreme Low pressure-indicating film was used to detect the effect of six different liners on teat load. For each liner, six positions in the teat cup were specified, and six repetitions were performed for each position with a new piece of film each time. Analysis of variance was performed to detect differences between the six liners, the positions within a liner, and the measuring areas. The pressure applied to the teat by a liner depends on the technical characteristics of the liner, especially the shape of the barrel, and for all tested liners, a higher teat load was found at the teat end. In conclusion, with the help of pressure-indicating film, it is possible to determine the different effects of liner type by directly measuring teat load due to liner collapse. Full article

Prevention of damage to the teat and mastitis requires determination of the teat load caused by a collapsing liner. The aim of this study was to test a pressure-indicating film designed to measure the pressure between a collapsing liner and artificial teats. The Ultra Super Low and the Extreme Low pressure-indicating films were tested on two types of artificial teat. The experiments were performed with a conventional milking cluster equipped with round silicone liners. For each teat and film type, 30 repetitions were performed. Each repetition was performed with a new piece of film. Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed to detect differences between the pressure values for the different teats. The area of regions where pressure-indication color developed was calculated to determine the most suitable film type. Both film types measured the pressure applied to both artificial teats by the teat cup liner. Thus, the pressure-indicating films can be used to measure the pressure between a collapsing liner and an artificial teat. Based on the results of the present investigation, a pressure-indicating film with the measurement ranges of both film types combined would be an optimal tool to measure the overall pressure between an artificial teat and a collapsing liner. Full article