Effect of omitting teat preparation on bacterial levels in bulk tank milk

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of omitting teat preparation prior to milking on the bacterial levels in milk directly after milking and after a period of milk storage. Eighty Holstein-Friesian dairy cows were assigned to two pre-milking teat preparation treatments: (i) washing of teats and drawing of foremilk, followed by drying with paper towels and (ii) no teat preparation. Individual cow measurements included individual quarter somatic cell count (SCC) and teat swabs for the presence of Bacillus cereus sensu lato. On seven monthly occasions, all milk produced over a 24 h period from each treatment group was segregated into a separate tank and sampled. Sub-samples of this milk were stored at 4 °C for 0, 24, 48 and 72 h, and the milk was analysed for total bacterial count (TBC), thermoduric bacterial count and the presence of B. cereus s. l. Individual quarter SCCs were numerically higher for unprepared teats (159,000 cells/mL) compared with those for prepared teats (133,000 cells/mL; P < 0.09). A similar trend was observed for bulk tank SCC, with the unprepared teat treatment tending to have a higher SCC (155,857 cells/mL) compared to the prepared teat treatment (102,286 cells/mL; P < 0.09). The TBC was not significantly higher from unprepared teats (3,152 cfu/ mL) compared with milk from prepared teats (1,678 cfu/mL) (P < 0.10). Milk TBC was significantly higher after storage for 72 h compared with that after 0, 24 and 48 h (P < 0.01). The results of this study indicate that under good hygienic conditions in an outdoor grazing situation, the omission of pre-milking teat preparation has a minimal effect on TBC and SCC.

Factors affecting the microbiological quality and contamination of farm bulk milk by Staphylococcus aureus in dairy farms in Asella, Ethiopia

“…In the final model, CPS was significantly higher in teats cleaned with cold water than in those cleaned with warm water, and this agrees with a previous report [49]. Adequate premilking teat sanitation reduces the load of bacteria on teats and ensures the production of high-quality milk [7,12].…”

“…TBC provides an estimate of the total number of aerobic bacteria present in raw milk [9] and is the most common method to evaluate the hygienic quality of raw milk at the farm level [10]. TBC is a useful indicator of the hygienic condition of the farm environment, the cow and the milking equipment [11,12]. An increase in the TBC of bulk tanks can be related to environmental contaminants, unsanitary milk equipment, dirty udders and teats, and mastitis causing organisms [10,13].…”

Bacteriological quality of raw cow milk at a collection center in Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria

“…Spore-forming bacteria are widely distributed in the soil; which serves as the main contaminant source [32]. Other possible sources of contamination are feaces, bedding, feed or milking equipment [33]. Furthermore, they can get into raw milk and onwards to dairy processing facilities via contaminated teats, milking cups, bulk tanks or via transportation [34].…”

Farm management and economic factors associated with bulk tank total bacterial count in Holstein dairy herds in Iran

“…Water hardness refers to the calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) content, which is known to have a negative effect on disinfection. Furthermore, it causes mineral sediments on surfaces and biofilm formation (Gleeson et al ., 2013). Providing good quality water is essential for producing quality milk.…”