Response
The ISU Extension worker collaborated with the milk plant field rep and herd
veterinarians to investigate the milk quality issues on the farms of interest,
and to plan on-farm milker training sessions. The planning included discussions
with dairy owners, herdsmen, and veterinarians about the issues involved, observations
of current milking procedures and milking area, observations of overall cow
housing, and analysis of herd records on udder health and SCC trends.
Using information gathered in the investigations, customized on-farm milker
training sessions were conducted on 5 large farms in NW Iowa. The sessions were
conducted in 2 parts: The first segment involved a “classroom” session
in the employee breakroom where workers learned about the economic significance
of the SCC problem, the importance of the milkers’ role on udder health,
principles of oxytocin and milk letdown, and correct milking procedures needed
to achieve good let-down and good milk quality. The communication barrier was
erased somewhat through be-lingual flip charts for the “lecture” component
of the session, videos in Spanish that explained oxytocin and correct cow prep
procedures, and demonstrations and skits involving the workers and owners.
The second segment of the training session was conducted in the milking parlor
where each milker was coached on cow prep and teat end cleanliness, and milker
crews were coached on how to achieve the right pace and consistent procedure.
Impact
The training reached 64 dairy employees, impacted the udder health of approximately
3,670 cows, and improved milk quality on all 5 farms. On average, the farms
improved their herd SCC score by 150,000, and saw improved income from milk
quality bonuses in the range of $.25 - $.70 per hundred pounds milk sold per
day, which translates to a monthly income improvement in the range of $5,250
- $14,700 for a 1,000 cow dairy.
Page last updated:
July 9, 2006
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, lschultz@iastate.edu
