While the National Dairy Study evaluated which recommended milking practices are being implemented on farm, it is also important to understand why these milking practices should be used. DRECA interviewed Dr. David Kelton from the University of Guelph, and researcher for the Canadian Mastitis Network, on how recommended milking practices are developed and why producers should implement them on farm. In addition, with a growing number of farms using automated milking systems (AMS), DRECA also wanted to get a better understanding on how best milking practices apply to AMS farms. Our second video is a longer webinar presentation, in which DRECA spoke with Don Anderson from Quality Milk Management New Brunswick on how producers using AMS can implement best milk practices.
The Canadian Mastitis Network brings together Canadian and international researchers to offer the Canadian dairy industry new tools and knowledge to improve udder health and milk quality and reduce economics losses caused by mastitis. The Mastitis Network website has numerous fact sheets to help producers in all areas of milking and mastitis management. Some of these fact sheets include:
- Milking routines to reduce SCC and antibiotics use on farm
- Step-by-Step milking procedure
- Pre- and post-milking teat disinfection
- Administration technique of intramammary treatment in dairy cows
The Mastitis Network has also used their expertise to produce a series of 3 Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs) to answer questions on bovine mastitis. These courses were originally designed for graduate students but provide essential knowledge for the professional development of dairy practitioners, teachers and any individual with a solid scientific background and an interest in udder health.