Importance of udder health and udder care
Udder health in dairy cows
Healthy udders, healthy cow
Discover the impact of healthy udders
Good udder health results in a lower risk of (sub)clinical mastitis and a low somatic cell count. Udder health is important for high milk quality and a profitable dairy farm. Healthy udders also contribute to a longer lifespan of cows. Optimal udder health is achieved through a combination of good hygiene, udder care, housing, and management.
Milk quality and udder health
How healthy udders contribute to optimal milk quality
Milk quality
Milk quality is closely linked to healthy udders and proper milking technique. Automatic milking offers benefits for udder health and milk quality through more frequent milking and continuous monitoring, but it requires strict hygiene, at least three cleaning cycles per day, to prevent bacteriological issues.
Somatic cell count
An increased somatic cell count in dairy cows can indicate early-stage udder inflammation or other udder health issues. By regularly monitoring milk data, for example via the milking robot, deviations can be detected early and action can be taken quickly to prevent further problems.
Mastitis
Udder inflammation, mastitis, in dairy cows is a common and painful bacterial infection. It leads to lower milk production and abnormal milk, such as flakes. Early detection and a proper approach are essential to limit damage.
Pre-treatment of the udders
Pre-treating the udders in a milking robot is important to remove dirt, stimulate milk let-down and ensure udder health. Unlike conventional milking, a milking robot monitors for abnormalities, such as mastitis. An increased somatic cell count is measured via MQC-C, Milk Quality Control Cell Count, and is visible at the next milking.
Control over udder health
Managing udder health with data
Managing udder health with data gives dairy farmers the ability to detect problems early and take targeted action. Milking robots continuously collect data on milk flow, conductivity, and somatic cell count per cow, making deviations visible. Monitoring somatic cell count is a key way to detect mastitis and assess milk quality.
By analysing this data, cows with an increased risk of mastitis or udder oedema can be identified more quickly. This enables selective treatment and targeted udder care, which helps reduce the use of antibiotics. At the same time, it provides more peace of mind and confidence, as you no longer have to observe or remember everything yourself. Using data shifts udder health from a reactive to a proactive process, with prevention at its core.
Importance of the dry period
Dry period management
The dry period is a crucial phase for udder health in dairy cows, as the udder recovers and prepares for the next lactation during this time. Proper dry period management helps prevent infections and reduces the risk of mastitis at the start of lactation.
During the dry period, the focus is on ensuring optimal recovery of the cow before she starts a new lactation. This begins with the way cows are dried off, including the use of dry-off treatments and optimising barn and cubicle hygiene. Nutrition and feeding strategy also play an important role, as a well-balanced ration supports the cow’s immune system. By applying the right dry period measures, dairy farmers can reduce the somatic cell count in the next lactation and improve milk quality.
Complete milking
The importance of complete milking
Complete milking means that each quarter of the udder is properly stimulated, fully milked out, and detached at the right moment. When a cow is not milked completely, milk remains in the udder, which increases pressure and raises the risk of mastitis. A complete milking therefore contributes to a lower somatic cell count, higher milk quality, improved cow comfort, and better farm profitability.
Prevent increased udder pressure
Robot visits and milking frequency
In robotic milking, an optimal number of robot visits and a high milking frequency are crucial for good udder health and high milk production. Milking regularly, more than twice a day, reduces pressure on the udder and supports udder health.
Too few robot visits can lead to milk accumulation and increased udder pressure, which raises the risk of mastitis. Increased pressure in the udder and milk retention are known risk factors for udder infections. By increasing milking frequency, cows are milked more regularly, which reduces stress and contributes to consistent milk quality.
With Lely Horizon, dairy farmers can easily identify which cows visit the milking robot less frequently. Lely Horizon collects and analyses data for each cow, such as milking frequency and milk yield, and provides an alert when a cow shows unusual behaviour. In addition, automatic milking enables continuous monitoring of each udder quarter, allowing deviations to be detected early and enabling faster intervention in case of mastitis.
Clean and dry cubicles
Hygiene and comfort in the barn
Hygiene and comfort in the barn are important for maintaining healthy udders. Dirt and bacteria in the barn can easily cause infections through the udder and teats, increasing the risk of mastitis. Clean, dry, and comfortable cubicles reduce the risk of udder damage and infections. A combination of clean cubicles, regular bedding management, and optimal barn hygiene directly contributes to a lower somatic cell count, improved milk quality, and overall cow welfare.
Farming insights
Want to learn more about udder health?
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions about udder health
Mastitis occurs when bacteria enter the udder through the teat. Risk factors include poor barn hygiene, damaged teat skin, incorrect milking settings, and wet or dirty bedding areas. Reduced immunity caused by heat stress or a negative energy balance also increases the risk. A consistent milking routine, including proper teat preparation and post-milking disinfection, plays a key role in preventing infection. The risk of mastitis is highest during the transition period and early lactation. Proper treatment and good hygiene are essential to prevent mastitis.
Mastitis can be identified by an increased somatic cell count (SCC), abnormal milk, reduced milk production, and changes in the appearance or behavior of the udder. Mastitis can be clinical or subclinical, with the latter showing no visible signs. Early detection is crucial to limit damage and prevent spread within the herd. Prevention starts with good hygiene, a balanced diet, consistent milking routines, and correct milking settings. Treatment should be based on veterinary advice and appropriate care. Continuous monitoring and quick action support recovery and long-term udder health.
A clean and dry barn reduces bacterial load and lowers the risk of mastitis. Clean bedding protects the teat skin, which is the first line of defense against infections. Manure, moisture, and poor ventilation increase exposure to bacteria and the risk of udder problems. Well-maintained barns and proper barn design help keep cows clean and comfortable. Good barn hygiene can therefore contribute to better udder health and improved milk quality.
A milking robot with somatic cell count (SCC) measurement, such as the Lely MQC-C, monitors SCC at cow level during every milking. Regular measurements and continuous trend analysis help detect deviations from normal values, often before visible symptoms appear. Automatic alerts support quick intervention. This enables earlier mastitis detection and helps limit milk loss and udder damage.
Mastitis can be recognized by a rising somatic cell count, abnormal milk, and changes in cow behavior. Affected cows may be less active or show reduced milk production. The udder may become swollen, warm, or painful. Mastitis can be clinical or subclinical, with early signs often being subtle. Continuous monitoring is therefore essential. The earlier mastitis is detected, the better the recovery and long-term milk production.
The dry period is crucial for udder recovery and for preventing mastitis after calving. During this time, udder tissue regenerates and the teat canal closes, creating a natural barrier against infections. Many new infections can occur during the first and last weeks of the dry period. Proper dry period management helps reduce somatic cell count and improves milk quality in the next lactation. It is a key phase for long-term udder health.
Teat liners and udder care spray