Authors : Isaac Karimi, Behruz Sohrabi, Abdolali Chalechale, Aliasghar Moghaddam, Hussein Mohammadi, Amir Dadyan, Reza Ali Rahmati Asl and Masume Yousefi
Abstract: The objective of this study was to assess effects of tail shaving on milk quality and udder cleanliness in a dairy farm. About 216 Holstein dairy cows equally divided to tail shaved: S and intact: C group. After 30 days, quarter milk lactose concentration, SCC, CMT, udder cleanliness and teat end scores were recorded. Tail shaved cows were cleaner (p = 0.047) than C group for the udder cleanliness score. The teat end scores for the S group were significantly lower (p = 0.001) than C group. Total CMT score significantly (p = 0.01) declined in S group compared with C group while SCC did not show significant difference (p = 0.940) between S and C groups. Milk lactose concentration was significantly higher (p = 0.01) in S group than that in C group. Results suggest that tail shaving can improve udder hygiene indices and can be considered routinely during lactation period. However, its long-term effects need to be investigated.
Isaac Karimi, Behruz Sohrabi, Abdolali Chalechale, Aliasghar Moghaddam, Hussein Mohammadi, Amir Dadyan, Reza Ali Rahmati Asl and Masume Yousefi, 2010. Effects of Tail Shaving on Milk Quality and Udder Cleanliness in a Dairy Farm. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 9: 2146-2153.