How can I reduce my somatic cell count?

THIS is a question that is often asked by Irish dairy farmers. According to Teagasc, reducing SCC from 350,000 to 150,000 in a herd of 100 cows can add as much as €10,000 per year to your farm income due to savings in mastitis associated costs.

Pre & Post spraying

It is widely accepted that pre and post spraying is a vital management tool to achieve a significant reduction of your herd’s cell count.

You must ensure to spray each cow with at least 15ml of a quality broad spectrum teat spray before milking. This ensures that any mastitis causing bugs are killed before the cluster is attached in order to prevent subsequent cows becoming infected.

After you apply the teat spray allow 30 seconds to elapse (while you spray the rest of the row) before wiping off with either a dry disposable paper towel or a disinfected cloth (one cloth per cow).

Always wear milking gloves to prevent any transfer of bacteria via your hands. Ensure to disinfect the gloves periodically during milking.

After removing the cluster from the cow, her teat ends will remain open for a period of time. At this point, there is a risk of infection, particularly in poor weather conditions when yards are dirty.

An effective post spray or dip that is high in emollient is essential to protect her teats at this time. Please ensure to apply at least 15ml of teat spray after milking.

Virolac range

The Virolac range includes pre & post teat sprays and dips such as Quick Spray RTU, Virolac Concentrate and Virolac Film. These products are all based on lactic salicylic acid technology (LSA®) developed by Hypred in Brittany, France.

LSA® is an active complex of hydroxyl-acids, combining AHA lactic acid and BHA salicylic acid. The combination of these natural organic acids ensures an extremely fast-acting, broad spectrum disinfectant.

LSA® is effective in 30 seconds on mastitis causing bacteria such as Staph. Aureus, Strep. Uberis, Strep. Agalactiae and E.Coli. It is also effective on yeasts, cowpox and cow herpes.

The lactic acid is effective against bacteria while the salicylic acid is effective against both bacteria and viruses.

Both of the hydroxyl-acids work to condition the teat skin as both have emollient properties.

Lactic acid is a humectant that softens the teat skin and the salicylic acid present in LSA® exfoliates the teat skin.

For more information on the Virolac Range please contact Mike Condron 087 6742416.

Quality ingredients in calf milk replacer can have a huge influence in optimising the performance and growth rate of calves.