FARMING NOTES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5490, 21 October 1929, Page 4

FARMING NOTES.

THE COW’S UDDER. For two special reasons the udder of the milking eow should receive more attention than it obtains to-day. The first is that the cells of the udder are the source of the milk supply, therefore the udder should be protected as much as possible. It should be kept in as healthy a condition as the rest of the body. The second is that the milk can be so easily contaminated by conditions within and round the udder. That milk from the cow has been suspected of causing disease and even epidemics in the human subject is not disputed. It must be admitted by all that the cow herself is innocent of much that she has been accused of. All epidemics may safely be attributed to human causes. If the care of the udder were universal an improvement in the milk and its keeping qualities would soon be evident.

Every udder should be washed and dried before milk is drawn from it. Cleanliness of the udder means cleanliness of the milker’s hands, and consequenty there is less risk of conveying infective material from cow to cow. When the cow is brought into the bails after calving how often is it found that though the udder is large very little milk is obtained. If the udder is well massaged, taking example from the actions of the calf, and using some simple emollient, such as castor oil, to the external hardened portions of the udder, it will usually be found to respond to this care, and a normal flow of milk be the reward in the course of a few days. After calving, the tail of the cow is usually soiled with material which forms a centre of germ infection quite close to the udder. The filth indeed is often switched over the end of the teats when the cow is lying down. Every careful dairyman should see that the tail is washed with warm water, soap and disinfectant solution. This precaution should be attended to for the first fews days after calving to remove a possible cause of mamniitis (or inflammation of the udder). Such diseases as tuberculosis, typhoid fever scarlet fever, and septic throat can be dessimated by means of the milk supply. Every disease has a beginning and in the recognition of some abnormality of the udder is the stock owner’s greatest safeguard in protecting his herd from the introduction of disease, and himself from its consequences.