Don’t let things go teats up!
Preventing Mastitis on Irish Dairy Farms: Why Hygiene Matters
Mastitis — inflammation of a cow’s udder usually caused by bacterial infection — remains one of the most costly health issues in dairy herds, affecting milk quality, production and profitability. In Ireland and beyond, good routines and proper hygiene are the cornerstones of mastitis prevention.
Why It Happens
Bacteria that cause mastitis can come from two main sources:
Contagious pathogens, spread cow-to-cow during milking, often via hands, liners or clusters.
Environmental pathogens, present in manure, bedding and yards.
With both types, poor hygiene and dirty equipment dramatically increase the risk of infection.
Top Hygiene Practices to Prevent Mastitis
1. Clean, Consistent Milking Routines
A well-structured milking routine reduces infection spread.
Wash and thoroughly dry udders before attaching clusters to remove dirt and bacteria.
Apply post-milking teat disinfection to protect the teat canal when it’s most vulnerable.
Wear clean gloves every milking, changing them if they become soiled or torn.
2. Maintain Milking Equipment
Your milking machine should be cleaned and maintained daily:
Use approved detergents and hot water to clean all milk contact surfaces.
Check and replace liners regularly; worn liners can harbour bacteria and cause poor vacuum stability.
Ensure pulsation and vacuum are operating correctly to minimise teat damage.
Regular servicing and adherence to manufacturers’ cleaning protocols help prevent bacteria build-up inside the system.
3. Keep Cows and Environment Clean
Keep collecting yards, housing and cubicles clean and dry.
Lime and fresh bedding reduce the bacterial load in high-traffic areas.
High environmental cleanliness lowers the risk of mastitis from soil and manure.
4. Monitor and Act Early
Regularly monitor somatic cell counts (SCC) — a key indicator of udder health — and act on any increases. Early detection helps reduce the spread of infection and protects overall herd performance.
Where to Find More Support
Don’t forget you have access to excellent resources and programmes focused on mastitis control:
National Dairy Council – What Is Mastitis? — A clear overview of mastitis and why prevention matters for milk quality.
Animal Health Ireland – CellCheck Programme — Ireland’s national mastitis control programme with farm-focused guidelines and training supports.
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) – Bovine Mastitis Info — Government-sourced animal health surveillance and disease information.
Visit Teagasc farm advisory pages (search “mastitis control” on teagasc.ie) for practical, seasonal tips and parlour hygiene advice.
By keeping your milking practices tight, equipment clean and cows’ environment tidy, you not only improve udder health but also protect herd performance and your bottom line. Small daily steps in hygiene make a big difference to mastitis prevention on every Irish dairy farm.