Page 67 - Microsoft Word -Cow Book 10-06-09 final update.doc

Lactating animals with caked manure on their flanks should be
considered as a violation, although some professional judgment is al-
lowed.

3. The length of teat hair should also be evaluated during milking. Teat
hairs that become incorporated into the inflations during milking may
serve as a microbial channel for contaminating the milk supply. These
hairs may be trimmed or "carefully singed" to avoid this problem.

4. If automatic spray systems are used, the quality of water used is of
utmost importance. The use of recycled water (water from plate
coolers or compressors) in these systems must be closely monitored.
Immediately prior to milking the teats must be cleaned, treated with a
sanitizing solution and dry. Any of the acceptable sanitizers may be
used, however strengths may have to be adjusted to accomplish an
effective sanitization. The use of common towels, cloths, or sponges to
wipe the udder must be discouraged as this simply transfers organisms
from animal to animal.

5. As an alternative the FDA has declared that the sanitizing of teats shall
not be required if the udder is dry and the teats have been thoroughly
cleaned (not dry wiped) and dried (manually wiped dry) prior to milking.
The determination of what constitutes a dry udder and cleaned and
dried teats shall be made by the regulatory authority.

6. The so called practice of wet hand milking was a procedure used by
hand milkers who would squirt the first few streams of milk onto their
hands then grasp the teats between the thumb and first finger and pull
straight down to force the milk out of the teat into a properly covered
milking pail. The milk acted as a lubricant and some milkers thought it
was a faster way of milking. The commonly accepted procedure for
proper hand milking was to place the dry hand around the teat and
gradually apply pressure from the top finger, then the second and on
down. Thus gradually getting the milk out of the teat and then being
repeated. This took more time than the wet hand milking, but was more
sanitary and provided less chance for contamination. The 1935 PMO
stated: “Milker’s hands shall be cleaned, rinsed with a bactericidal
solution, and dried with a clean towel, immediately before milking and
following any interruption in the milking operation. Wet-hand milking is
prohibited. Convenient facilities shall be provided for the washing of
milker’s hands.” It also stated: “Wethand milking increases the

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