Do you Speak Their Language?

May 6, 2014

DO YOU SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE?

Milk quality in today’s world market is of utmost importance. When a milking crew is applying and practicing the “how’s” of maintaining high milk quality in a barn, it is very important for them to know the “why’s” of what they are doing. Guidelines are easily implemented when someone knows and understands what it is, that is trying to be accomplished.

Here are a few questions that are very important for a milking crew to understand:

  • What is mastitis?
  • What are bacteria?
  • What is a Somatic Cell Count?  What is the importance?
  • What is the difference between Strep., Staph. and coliforms?
5cbde53c-67f5-40f9-9cb7-611e2c009d8dIt is important to acknowledge that while many herdsmen, milkers, and managers are bilingual, they often possess minimal proficiency in English!  Arizona DHIA is a tool that you can use to overcome these hurdles.  Raquel Vigueria, our Micro. Department scientist, developed a program that assists in overcoming some of these hurdles.  Raquel speaks fluent Spanish and can explain the “why’s” of producing high quality raw milk.

Not only is this beneficial to employees, but it is beneficial to you.  Did you know that it takes only 20 minutes for a bacterium such as Staph. aureus to replicate?  Did you know that Staph. live inside the udder, Strep. live in the bedding, and coliforms live in the manure?  This very simple breakdown enforces the concept that both milk and manure are potential sources of mastitis.  It makes it perfectly clear why one must change gloves, back flush units, pre and post-dip, and milk clean teats.

This quick educational course is of minimal cost to you, and we hope it will reap great rewards.  If we can help, let us know!  For more information, go to our website, contact us at [email protected], or call us at 480-894-0156 ext. 14.