Editor’s note: This is the second article in a two-part series. The first article appeared in the May 7, 2014 issue of Progressive Dairyman. Now that you have established a “master notebook system” for your milking parlor as I suggested earlier this year, let’s identify key design and maintenance issues you should track. Remember, the goal for your parlor should be to consistently, quickly, comfortably and completely milk every cow.

Human nature requires that before we can correct a problem, we must first admit to a problem. This author believes there are three important reasons to define environmental mastitis as a problem. REASON #1: The 400,000 SCC limit for salable milk is coming to America As I wrote in a Progressive Dairyman article last fall, reducing this country’s SCC limit is long overdue. Now is the time to evaluate your dairy’s SCC history and decide if you are ready for the new regulations.