Finnish udder bra. Protects the udder from injuries and dirt

Bad laying areas are one of the biggest reason for teat stepping

Teat stepping

Problems

Too small boxes cause problems, when cows have difficulties to rise and next cow can easily step the teat. Too short fence between the cows in the boxes cause problems when cow lies or stands on the next box. If boxes are too high, the cow has to step on her teat, when she go on the box. Collar boxes prevent cow’s head moving, when she tries to rise and then she can easily step on her teat. Especially when the cows are on rough concrete floors, the teat will get easily hurt.  The structure of the cow is also important event, for example according to the investigations; teat which is 6,5cm or longer get hurt more easily. If udders are hanging very low, of course it can easily stay under the hoof, distance between floor and udder should be proximately 40cm or more.

Consequenses

Often udder quarter get the mastitis. Typical bacteria in the teat stepping are S.aureus, Str. dysgalactiae and Actinomyces pyogenes. The treatment depends how serious is the injury. The features are from little bruise till extreme hurts. A teat can even rip off the udder. But most of the time the problems are bruises that make the milking difficult or even impossible. Often udder quarter must put dry, but only when it’s bad for treatment. The treatment varied from stitching the teat till putting some udder cream on the udder before milking.

Solutions

One solution for teat stepping is udder bra, when udder is protected or use the rubber mat, or when floor isn’t so slippery. You can affect also into the hoof care. And when cows have enough space, get their udder also more space.  The most important thing is to have a good housing.

Page updated 21.11.2005