Milk processors can apply stringent penalties if milk supplies are found to be positive for residues, according to Animal Health Ireland (AHI).
To ensure that no residue of antibiotic remains by the time the freshly-calved cow is milked into the bulk tank, it says, minimum dry periods and milk withholding times for antibiotic dry cow therapy (DCT) are in place.
However, in the absence of quotas, some farmers will have milked on for a little longer than previous years, which AHI has said may result in a shorter dry period for some cows.
If you did this, then AHI advises that you need to double-check that the dry period of every cow treated is at least as long as the minimum dry period of the DCT used.
Early lactation is a high risk time for bulk tank residues, particularly antibiotics, which is a serious food safety matter.
How to avoid antibiotic residue problems this spring:
- Write down the dates of when cows were treated with DCT, and when their withholding periods are up (based on the manufacturer’s recommendations).
- If cows calve early, make sure the minimum dry period has passed before putting her milk into the tank.
- If you suspect an error in cow identity, treatment or calving date records, do not put the milk in the tank until the issue is resolved. Consult your milk processor immediately.
- Many processors will offer an option to pre-test milk before collection in spring – avail of this to help ensure that your bulk tank is residue-free.
- Finally, if you suspect any cows have been milked into the tank by mistake notify your milk processor immediately to avoid contaminating a full silo of milk.
