Covid-19 could leave farmers relying on old newspaper for cleaning cows before milking

Worst-case scenario advice for dairy farmers in the UK now includes using torn-up squares of old newspaper, if single-use disposable paper towels, or medicated wipes, are not available for removing dirt and bacteria from the cows’ teats before milking.

Cotton face flannels can be used to dry teats (one per cow) but need to be washed, disinfected and dried between milkings, and cannot be reused to clean multiple cows.

The advice comes from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, and is directed to farmers who find that farming tools or materials are not available, or because markets become so badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, or by the restrictions necessary to control it.

The AHDB advises dairy farmers who can no longer get the type of gloves they usually use for milking to check if a suitable alternative is available.

Otherwise cows will have to be milked with bare hands.

Cuts, wounds and sores must be covered, hands washed thoroughly with soap and water before milking, and disinfected, to reduce contamination.

Try to avoid getting milk on your hands, and use running water and disinfectant regularly to remove milk and dirt from your hands during milking, farmers are advised.

Hand cream should mitigate the effects of detergents and disinfectant on skin.

If teat disinfectants are in short supply, prioritise postmilking teat disinfection (although pre-milking products are not ideal for this, as they may be short-acting and not have emollients for teat skin.

If you normally use a ready-to-use teat disinfectant, consider purchasing a concentrate, which can be diluted as per manufacturer’s recommendations.

Products only authorised for post-milking teat disinfection must not be used pre-milking.

Do not use products which do not have a marketing authorisation for use in lactating dairy cows.

Many disinfectant formulations are very aggressive and can be an irritant if used as the base for a home-made teat dip.

Some UK processors have asked farmers to deliver less milk.

Feeding whole milk to calves (but not from Johne’s cows), and possibly postponing calf weaning, are suggested for farmers in such a situation.

Farmers needing to cut production are advised to discuss with their nutritionist and vet feeding strategies, to reduce production without compromising cow health.

Water intake should not be restricted, and mineral balance taken into account if reformulating diets.

Dry cows off earlier, where possible, but beware of unintended consequences of body condition on subsequent calving. Reduce milking frequency, where possible.

Incomplete milking is also suggested by the AHDB, which says leaving 30% of milk in the udder may be positive for cows in the first five days of lactation.

If there is access to abattoirs, bringing culling forward can be considered by UK farmers forced to cut production.

If milk has to dumped on UK farms, spreading it on land is suggested.

UK laws require a waste disposal permit for this, and the milk must be diluted 50/50 with water or slurry, and applied at no more than 50 cubic metres of diluted milk per hectare in any 24-hour period, or any four week period.

If abattoirs close, UK beef farmers are advised to gradually reduce cereal/concentrate intake and increase forage.

If pig-feed supplies become limited, farmers are advised that only vegetables and some fruit crops straight from the field or store are suitable for pigs, such as potatoes, root vegetables, beets, and apples.

For every 1kg of feed removed, 4kg of such additional feedstuffs should be provided.

Only formulated feed has the balanced energy and mineral demands pigs need to retain good condition.

If more than 25% of the concentrate ration is cut, there is a risk of pigs not thriving and losing body condition.

Detailed food safety procedures are needed before any feed can be moved from the human food chain to livestock, and it is illegal to feed any catering waste, kitchen scraps, meat or meat products to farmed animals, including pigs.

For pig farms with liquid feed systems, there may be potential to utilise some the raw milk from UK dairy farmers if it is surplus to market requirements.