Remember the correct procedure for drying off cows. Teats should be washed and dried before milking and then the cows should be fully milked out. Clean and disinfect each teat with a surgical wipe or cotton wool soaked in methylated spirts after milking, paying particular attention to the area around the teat canal. Clean the front teats first (furthest away) and then do the hind teats.

Have the four tubes lined up and ready to go, but don’t take off the cap until the last minute. Have a routine order for giving the tubes, so you don’t get mixed up. Massage the dry cow tube up into the udder. If using a teat sealer, give this immediately after massaging the dry cow tube up into the udder – but remember: the teat sealer shouldn’t be massaged up, it should remain in the teat. Wear gloves and keep hygiene in mind.

Sometimes, when the tubes are cold they can be hard to work. Don’t put them directly into warm water. If you need to heat them up, leave them in a warm room the night before or put the bucket of tubes into a bucket of warm water to heat them up. Teat spray after giving the tubes and keep the cows in a clean and dry place after tubing to prevent bacteria entering the teat canal.

Milk price in the 2017 budget

Dairy management: Milking on