Tyddyn Cae Project Update - November 2023

Project 1: Streamlining the milking routine for greater efficiency and selective dry cow therapy

A comprehensive udder health visit was carried out by Tom Greenham from Advance Milking consultancy on the 14 of November 2023, below is a summary points from the visit: 

SWOT Analysis: Weaknesses 

1. Lack of mastitis/SCC data
a. No ‘early warning system’
b. No opportunity for Selective Dry Cow Therapy (SDCT)

2. Lack of cow resistance to bacterial challenge
a. Teat hyperkeratosis and oedema are increasing infection risk

3. Limitation to slurry management
a. Low scraper frequency is a direct cause of low cow cleanliness

4. Milking staff level during grazing
a. Only allocating one member of staff for milking during the summer makes it more challenging to perform a routine that maintains milk letdown and hygiene

SWOT Analysis: Opportunities
1. Start selective dry cow therapy before it becomes mandatory
a. Reduce antibiotic use and improve udder health management 

2. Surveillance for udder health issues
a. Monitoring mastitis and cell count trends allows earlier detection of problems

3. Improve natural cow resistance to udder infection. 
a. Optimise milking machine and routine to reduce teat hyperkeratosis & oedema

4. Increase cow hygiene and lying times by making your good winter housing even better
a. Improve slurry management of passages and increase bedding for cubicle comfort