Reducing the risk of mastitis in Co. Kilkenny

bbl — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 15:15:19 +0000

The importance of cow hygiene and comfort cannot be stressed enough when it comes to the winter housing period. During this time, the group most at risk of contracting mastitis are milking cows, as their teat canals are open for two-to-three hours per day in comparison to dry cows. Cows close to calving are also at risk as they can leak milk for a few days before calving down.

For most farmers, the use of cubicle lime is critical to increase the pH of cubicle beds kill bacteria and control mastitis cases. Once such farmer is Andrew Leeson, who is currently milking 360 cows on a 340ac platform in Co. Kilkenny.

In the video (below), Andrew discusses the key role that our cubicle lime has played in minimising the growth of bacteria and optimising herd health and performance.

Why Choose Bennettsbridge Limestone Cubicle Lime?

Our cubicle lime is a unique disinfectant product, that combines all the antibacterial benefits of a hydrated lime in a mild, super-absorbent blend which will inhibit the growth of bacteria, aid in the prevention of mastitis and provide excellent cow comfort.

It is formulated using hydrated lime and a superfine limestone powder which comes from our high purity calcium quarry in Kilkenny.

The cubicle lime is finely ground for high surface area coverage and maximum absorption, ensuring cows are clean, dry and comfortable for longer. It successfully deactivates E.coli, salmonella and mastitis-causing bacteria such as staphylococcal and streptococcal by raising the pH above 12.5 (until deactivated).

We offers a full range of Cubicle Lime Blends, available in 1t bags. The stronger the hydrated lime blends, the longer it will sustain pH levels of treated areas for lasting animal protection.

Superfine regular lime;
15% hydrated blend;
30% hydrated blend;
50% hydrated blend.

Bennettsbridge Limestone offers nationwide delivery direct to farm within two working days.

Steps To Minimise The Growth Of Bacteria And Increase Cow Comfort

The below steps should be implemented to help minimise the growth of bacteria:

The design of the cubicle can make a big difference when it comes to hygiene. The brisket board should be on, or just above the mat and is there to stop the cow from lying too far up the cubicle and to keep her rear end just off the back of the mat.
Passageways should be scraped down and cleaned twice daily. When using automatic scrapers, it is recommended to run these six to eight times per day to reduce the volume of dung being brought onto the cubicle bed.
The use of rubber mats is also recommended as they make the cleaning process easier and increase hygiene levels.
As mentioned above, hydrated cubicle lime is recommended as a cubicle disinfectant as its pH is 12.4 above the tolerance threshold for streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria; two of the most common causes of mastitis.
When applying cubicle lime, the optimum amount per cubicle is approximately a fistful. Other ways of administering cubicle lime include using a scoop to ensure an even amount is spread. Gloves and goggles should always be worn when applying cubicle lime as it can lead to severe eye irritation.

For more information or to place your cubicle lime order click here.

The post Reducing the risk of mastitis in Co. Kilkenny appeared first on Bennettsbridge Limestone.

Why cubicle lime is key to mastitis prevention

bbl — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 09:37:14 +0000

Good hygiene is crucial over the winter period, especially in dairy herds. During this period, cows are at a high risk of developing mastitis, which is the inflammation of mammary glands or udders. There are two groups most at risk of contracting mastitis; cows that have been recently dried off and cows that are close to calving.

Mastitis in dairy cows is caused by udder infections, usually resulting from bacteria which can develop during milking or through the cow’s environment. Examples include poor milking procedures, teat injuries or direct exposure to bacteria such unhygienic cubicle beds and lying areas.

Cost of mastitis

There are underlying costs associated with the presence of mastitis, including a loss in milk production from reduced milk yield, and the volume of milk discarded due to the use of antibiotics. It is also important to note that farmers can face penalties for a reduction in milk quality as it may not be suitable for manufacturing when tested.

Other underlying costs associated with mastitis include veterinary fees and the cost of culling the animal or mortality. Taking all of this into account, it is therefore critical that prevention and control of mastitis should be a priority on all dairy farms.

Mastitis prevention and control

The use of cubicle lime is critical in order to increase the pH of cubicle beds and inhibit the growth of bacteria. In addition to a good cubicle lime routine, the below steps should be implemented to help minimise the growth of such bacteria.

Passageways should be scraped down and cleaned twice daily. When using automatic scrapers, it is recommended to run these six to eight times per day in order to reduce the volume of dung being brought onto the cubicle bed.
The use of rubber mats are also recommended as they make the cleaning process easier and increase hygiene levels.
Hydrated cubicle lime is recommended as a cubicle disinfectant as its pH is 12.4 above the tolerance threshold for streptococcal and staphylococcal bacteria; two of the most common causes of mastitis. Although the pH in hydrated lime is significantly higher than the pH of cubicle lime (8.4), it does not irritate the cow’s teats and it also leads to increased cow comfort.
When applying cubicle lime, the optimum amount per cubicle is approximately a fistful. Other ways of administering cubicle lime include using a scoop to ensure an even amount is spread. Gloves and goggles should always be worn when applying cubicle lime as it can lead to severe eye irritation.

To learn more about the benefits of cubicle lime, click here

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