Jump to HeaderJump to Main ContentJump to Footer
Michigan State University
  • Home
  • |
  • About
    • Who we are
    • What we do
    • Past Research
    • Contact
    • Dairy @MSU
  • |
  • Antibiotic Stewardship
  • |
  • Farm Safety
  • |
  • Resources
    • Prevention of Mastitis
    • Mastitis Detection and Diagnosis
    • Treatment of Mastitis
    • Monitoring Udder Health
    • Milking Performance
    • Other Topics
  • |
  • Quality Milk Alliance
    • Milking Efficiency and Labor Management
    • Dry Cow and Mastitis Treatments
    • SCC and Milk Quality
  • |
  • Antibiotic Usage Benchmark Tool
Top Milk
  • Home
  • About
  • Antibiotic Stewardship
  • Farm Safety
  • Resources
  • Quality Milk Alliance
  • Antibiotic Usage Benchmark Tool

< Home

< About

  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Past Research
  • Contact
  • Dairy @MSU

< Antibiotic Stewardship

< Farm Safety

< Resources

  • Prevention of Mastitis
  • Mastitis Detection and Diagnosis
  • Treatment of Mastitis
  • Monitoring Udder Health
  • Milking Performance
  • Other Topics

< Quality Milk Alliance

  • Milking Efficiency and Labor Management
  • Dry Cow and Mastitis Treatments
  • SCC and Milk Quality

< Antibiotic Usage Benchmark Tool

About

  • Who we are
  • What we do
  • Contact

Antibiotic Usage Benchmark

  • Antibiotic Usage Benchmark Tool
Michigan State University
Top Milk

Top Milk

Top Milk > Resources > Prevention of Mastitis >

The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Milking Routines

The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Milking Routines

This video/podcast series focuses on how to effectively milk cows to produce high-quality milk. Dr. Pamela Ruegg will discuss the science behind effective milking routine in seven practical habits.

Articles

The 7 Habits of Highly Successful Milking Routines. (English) (Español)

Milking Routine Analysis.

Standard Milking Procedures for stall barns. (English) (Español)

Milk Secretion and Quality Standards.

The 10 Smart Things Dairy Farms Do to Achieve Milking Excellence.

The Effect of Manual Forestripping on Milking Performance of Holstein Dairy Cows.

Goals and Objective

This first episode begins with the basics, and highlights the goals and objectives of having an effective milking routine.

Listen to Podcast
Cows in barn

Calm and Clean

In Episode 2 of this series, Dr. Pamela Ruegg presents the first habit of a successful milking routine, and it begins before the cows even enter the milking parlor. Keeping cows clean and calm will not only impact the speed at which cows get milked, but also the rate new mastitis infections can develop in the herd.

Listen to Podcast
Clean and dirty cow examples

Resources

  • Prevention of Mastitis
  • Mastitis Detection and Diagnosis
  • Monitoring Udder Health
  • Other Topics
  • Small Ruminants
  • Treatment of Mastitis

Antibiotic Stewardship

  • Antibiotic Stewardship

Farm Safety

  • Farm Safety

Contact us

517-355-1855

Address

Michigan State University 426 Auditorium Road East Lansing, MI 48824

Releases and Statements

Follow Us

  • Visit our Facebook page
  • Visit our page on X
  • Visit our LinkedIn page
  • Visit our YouTube page

If you're having accessibility issues, please let us know.

  • Contact Information|
  • Site Map|
  • Privacy Statement|
  • Site Accessibility|
  • Call MSU: (517) 355-1855|
  • Visit: msu.edu|
  • Notice of Nondiscrimination|

SPARTANS WILL|© Michigan State University|

Cows Are Grouped

Dairy cows can be managed in groups for not only nutritional and reproductive reasons, but also for milk quality. Join Dr. Pamela Ruegg in this episode to learn how to develop a milking plan to ensure the production of high-quality milk without transmitting mastitis pathogens throughout the herd.

Listen to Podcast
Cows in barn

Premilking Cow Preparation

Dr. Pamela Ruegg takes us through steps three and four of the "7 Habits of Highly Successful Milking Routines." Step 3 is about the consistent premilking preparation: forestripping for stimulation and detection of mild cases of mastitis. Step 4 stresses the importance of disinfection and drying of teats to ensure that milk is obtained in a hygienic manner.

Listen to Podcast
Cow with udders marked

Attaching, Aligning and Removing Milking Units

Steps 5 and 6 of our "7 Habits" video series are about properly attaching and removing milking units and understanding the dangers of overmilking.

Listen to Podcast
Cows ready for milking

After the Milking Units Are Removed

The last habit of a successful milking routine focuses on managing the cows once the milk units are removed. Dr. Pamela Ruegg talks about post-milking teat dipping and returning to fresh feed.

Listen to Podcast
Cow with udders marked

The Complete Milking Routine

This last video of the "7 Highly Successful Milking Routines" series features the complete milking routine, unabridged. From start to finish, you can see the entire milking process featuring tips and recommendations.

Listen to Podcast
Cow milking aparatus