Top 6 Udder Care Challenges

Publish date: 4.22.24

Maintaining udder health depends on choosing the proper udder care products. Nevertheless, selecting the right product depends on the situation the dairy is facing right then, rather than picking a product based on the current time of year. Thinking about a dairy holistically and looking beyond the current season will help determine the best product to use for maximize effectiveness. This blog will dive into the top 6 udder care challenges and what teat dip products we recommend to overcome them.  

Using the right product in the right situation is essential for a successful udder care protocol to ensure maximum effectiveness and control cost.

TOP 6 UDDER CARE CHALLENGES  

1. Repair and prevent poor skin conditions, hyperkeratosis, or other teat skin issues with VALIANT PRE POST  

• Provides triple threat protection with Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2), Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LAS), and Lactic Acid  
• Includes a high level of skin conditioners to keep teats conditioned and healthy  
• Softens hyperkeratosis and relieves dry skin without being harsh on the skin  

2. Shorten pre-milking prep time with VALIANT PRE or EXPRESS 1 

• Both provide a greater than 5-log kill and a 15-second broad-spectrum kill speed  
• Both are less affected by organic interference and maintain kill speed as compared to other germicides   
• Valiant Pre includes .5% surfactants which aids in the cleaning process  

3. Stand up against environmental challenges with VALIANT SHIELD or VALIANT PRE POST  

• Valiant Shield provides triple threat protection with Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2), Heptanoic Acid, and Lactic Acid  as a barrier teat dip
• Valiant Pre Post provides triple threat protection with Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2), Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LAS), and Lactic Acid  
• Both are effective between milkings and handle high organic loads without interference   
• Both offer a greater than 5-log kill, 15-second kill speed, and skin conditioners   

4. Control the risk of high bacterial load from alternative beddings like sawdust, recycled sand, or manure solids with VALIANT SHIELD  

• Trusted as the problem solver when conditions are tough, especially wet and muddy environments
• More effective than other barriers as it does not draw moisture out of the skin  
• Formulated to dry faster and be less tacky which minimizes the amount of organic material that sticks to teats  
• Forms a true barrier film and protects her from bacteria she may encounter when heading to the fall stall  

5. Reduce the dangers of high levels of bacteria or dry, cracked teat skin by using VALIANT PRE POST as a post-dip  

• Dependable product for fixing skin conditions and teat ends 
• Being a Chlorine Dioxide, it rapidly kills all known pathogens that cause mastitis 
• Has a special teat conditioning formula that rejuvenates dry teats 
• Allows for dead skin removal during the pre-milking procedure 

6. Monitor application accuracy and results with VALIANT PRE-POST or EXPRESS BLUE  

• Good color marking to identify that cows are properly covered with teat dip

There are differences between non-concentrate and concentrate teat dip products, but the major one is when to use them. When conditions are harsh like during the wettest and coldest months, we advise dairy producers to use non-concentrate products in their udder care routines. These are the products you can count on to get the job done and prevent infections. However, when conditions are ideal on a dairy, your focus needs to be maintaining udder health. During these times, we recommend dairies use concentrate products in their udder care protocols.   

Proper udder care is vital for a dairy. Managing udder health helps you control mastitis and maintain well-conditioned teat ends which can impact your operation’s profitability through milk production and quality. Why does this matter to your bottom line? It matters because mastitis is one of the most expensive health problems in the dairy industry, and healthy teats equate to better milk quality. Knowing the impact on producers, our UdderCare team wakes up thinking about milk quality and production. That’s why we offer industry-leading products proven to protect you from costly diseases and lower milk production within our ABS UdderCare: Quality Milk Systems portfolio.  

Overcome udder health challenges on your dairy by contacting your ABS UdderCare Specialist or completing the form below today!