Parlor Hygiene

Parlor audits: When are they necessary?

michelle_vannewkirk@cargill.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Frequent review of parlor protocols can refine processes and improve productivity. Experts Andy Austin and Michelle Vannewkirk share advice on how and when to perform these reviews, as well as additional milk quality tips.

A smarter mastitis treatment starts with the pathogen

jennifer_3.roberts@boehringer-ingelheim.com — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -0400

When mastitis happens, it is easy to assume antibiotics are the next step. In many cases, they are, but not always. That’s where intentional mastitis treatment decisions make a difference.

Hygiene from parlor to trough

drdavidkolb@acepsis.com — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Creating a clean environment should always be present on a dairy producer’s mind, for many reasons. There are the obvious reasons like food safety, milk quality, animal welfare and more. But it also paints a better picture for consumers and it’s just a good business strategy.

Towels can triple your profits

theudderdoctor@gmail.com — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Most dairies are looking for ways to lower their somatic cell count (SCC), have fewer clinical mastitis cases and milk cows faster. There is one important way to help with all three of these areas: drying teats properly. Many dairies are in such a hurry to get the milking routine done that they overlook the importance of the drying step.

Equipment, chemistry and people: A three-tier checklist for modern parlors

shaun@futurecow.com — Thu, 22 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Milking parlors perform at the intersection of three forces: equipment performance, chemical effectiveness and human compliance. Each one can elevate milk quality or quietly sabotage it.

Dollars down the drain: What one case of mastitis can cost you

dtnolan@illinois.edu — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

We often hear that mastitis costs the U.S. dairy industry $2 billion per year. But what does this mean on a case level?

Maintaining a low somatic cell count is a ‘whole-farm challenge’ at Shiloh Dairy

matti@agproud.com — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

When Travis and Gordon Speirs of Shiloh Dairy set out to improve milk quality in their Holstein herd, they were aiming for a somatic cell count (SCC) below 120,000. The dairy currently runs a SCC of 77,000. Their secret sauce? Milk quality isn’t a parlor issue.

Battling Klebsiella: Tools to keep in your toolbox

dtnolan@illinois.edu — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Klebsiella is a difficult bacteria to deal with because infections can come on quickly without warning and have the potential to be fatal. Understanding how it spreads and how to prevent it is important for protecting herd health.

Managing mastitis in hospital pens

theudderdoctor@gmail.com — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

The hospital pen or group is often the most disliked pen on a dairy. These are the cows that have abnormal milk and may or may not be sick. These animals must be isolated and identified so their milk does not enter the milk supply. The better the program for handling these cows, the lower the risk of spreading to the clean cows in the herd.

Sampling for success: Making mastitis diagnostics work for you

justine@udderhealth.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0400

There is no doubt that the use of routine culture for mastitis pathogens, both contagious and environmental, is a powerful management tool for maintaining good udder health and milk quality in progressive dairy herds.

Milk quality audits: The key to healthier cows and consistent milk checks

akinney@boumatic.com — Fri, 09 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A farm audit is more than just a compliance check; it’s a proactive tool to improve animal welfare, maximize milk premiums and reduce costly issues such as mastitis and bacterial contamination of the bulk tank.

7 parlor hygiene tips to improve milk quality

ernesto.tapia@delaval.com — Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 -0400

Every person reading this article likely has some idea of what it means to produce good, quality milk. But consider that milk quality varies depending on the perspective of consumers, processors and farmers.

Don't overcomplicate milk quality: It's not rocket science

shaun@futurecow.com — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0500

A farm decides on its own what its milk quality is. Wait, what? That’s right – the choices made daily determine milk quality. High-quality milk doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the result of intentional decisions in three key areas: 1) the people on the farm, 2) the environment the cows live in and 3) the tools provided to both the employees and the cows to ensure success. Let’s break it down.

Addressing parlor challenges: A three-legged stool for success

matt_dodd@diamondv.com — Fri, 06 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The parlor is a critical place on a dairy to have productivity and efficiency dialed in 365 days a year. When it comes to leveling up your parlor output, audits are a helpful tool in finding ways to fine-tune and uncover areas for improvement that drive milk harvest success – ultimately impacting the dairy’s bottom line.

Milk quality in the bulk tank: What do all the numbers mean?

justine@udderhealth.com — Thu, 05 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0500

I frequently receive questions about the different test name acronyms and how to interpret what those results tell them. More importantly, I am asked how producers and industry service providers troubleshoot high counts. A basic understanding of the different ways in which bulk tank milk may be tested and what those tests measure is extremely helpful in understanding what impacts milk quality on the farm.

The power of pathogen-based mastitis treatment

linda.tikofsky@boehringer-ingelheim.com — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Knowing the classification of a mastitis case can help you choose which animals to treat, saving you money and improving judicious antibiotic use.

Mastitis in fresh heifers: A major problem

theudderdoctor@gmail.com — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0400

In my 50 years of experience, managing the level of SCC and mastitis in fresh heifers is critical to achieving excellent milk quality. There are many important ways to improve milk quality on your dairy, but don’t let fresh heifers contribute to your issues.

Water is a major driver of milk quality

matt.gough@delaval.com — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0400

Water is essential in the cleaning of milking equipment and is often overlooked as an important component in milk quality.

What’s in your bulk tank?

justine@udderhealth.com — Sat, 07 May 2022 13:00:01 -0400

Nearly everyone in the dairy realm, from consultants to veterinarians to producers, has found themselves in a discussion regarding bulk tank milk quality at least once in their career.

How to maximize performance and efficiency of CIP routines

Thu, 01 Oct 2020 13:00:01 -0400

“That’s the way we have always done it.” That is a very scary phrase. It typically implies that you are not changing or looking to improve. It can also imply that you have done it for so long, you may be getting lax in some areas and not realize it.

6 practical tips for helping a milking shift go smoothly

kwoodring93@yahoo.com — Wed, 13 May 2020 14:58:55 -0400

I've had many different jobs on the farm: from calf feeder to breeder to managing employees, but up until recently, I didn't spend much time actually milking the cows.

Next-level producers favor precaution over reaction to manage milk quality

kristy.campbell@delaval.com — Wed, 06 May 2020 13:00:01 -0400

Milk quality is a part of every dairy’s profitability equation. Regardless of herd size, type or location, the milk check can be affected by several factors.

‘E’ is the key to improve milk quality and profitability

rancisco.m.rivas@zoetis.com — Wed, 06 May 2020 13:00:01 -0400

How can you capitalize on the profitability and production benefits of good-quality milk? Let’s check on how you can target the three “E’s” of milk quality to receive these benefits.