Teat disinfection in dairy herds

TEAT disinfection is one of the most important preventive measures in mastitis control. It is carried out either immediately prior to milking (pre‐dipping) or, most commonly, after milking (post dipping). Pre‐dipping controls environmental mastitis; the disinfectant is allowed a minimum of 30 seconds contact time and is then wiped from the teats before applying the cluster. Post dipping controls contagious mastitis; the disinfectant is applied as soon as the cluster is removed and the teats are left unwiped. This article examines the reasons for teat disinfection, the chemicals used and methods of application, and highlights associated management faults.