Preventing mastitis is one of the most cost-effective strategies in dairy farming, and is essential for maintaining cow health while also producing a high-quality product. A consistent and well-executed milking routine lies at the heart of mastitis prevention where hygiene, attention to detail, and an employee’s understanding of standard operating procedures (SOPs) is pivotal. When employees understand why each step matters, they work with purpose, ultimately improving both udder health and milk quality. In a recent University of Wisconsin-Madison extension article, bilingual dairy outreach specialist Carolina Pinzon-Sanchez highlighted the importance of a consistent milking routine.

A milking routine refers to the structured sequence of steps performed before, during, and after milking. It’s not a one-size-fits-all process and looks very different for every farmer, based on parlor design, staffing, and equipment. Each routine is designed to help the farm ensure efficiency and consistency.

Milking begins even before cows reach the parlor. Generally, herdspersons are responsible for maintaining clean, dry pens and moving cows calmly. Clean stalls help reduce environmental bacteria that can infect the teat ends, while gentle handling lowers stress and encourages easier milk letdown.

During milking, every step matters. The goal is to attach the milking unit to teats that are clean, dry, and stimulated. Skipping crucial preparation steps can affect milk flow, lead to poor milking efficiency, and boost infection risk. Each action, from handling cows gently and wearing clean gloves, to predipping, forestripping, drying teats, attaching the unit, and postdipping, is done for a reason. For example, predipping kills bacteria before milking, while forestripping helps detect abnormal milk and stimulates milk letdown. Proper timing of unit attachment (60 to 120 seconds after stimulation) and timely detachment help prevent both over- and under-milking, helping reduce stress and damage to the udder, said Pinzon-Sanchez.

Tools like dip cups, foamers, sprayers, and automatic scrubbers help apply disinfectant, but full teat coverage and appropriate contact time are essential regardless of method. Hygiene is paramount, including regular disinfection of gloves and the use of single-use towels for drying.

Consistency is the backbone of any successful milking routine. All employees must follow the same steps in the same sequence during every milking session. To support this, farms should offer regular training, post the routine visibly in the parlor, monitor performance, and establish goals. Creating a written SOP is also highly recommended for maintaining consistency.

Ultimately, milking is a responsibility 365 days of the year. When employees understand the reasoning behind every step, they want to do a better job. By treating each cow with care, dairy farmers are able to produce a higher-quality product.

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