The buzz on Manuka honey in teat care
14 Jun 2021
The buzz on Manuka honey in teat care
Manuka honey has long been known for its healing properties. A natural remedy widely used for treating everything from wounds and blemishes to soothing sore throats, Manuka honey has also found its way into skincare products, donning the well-earned badge of the holy grail of ingredients. So, it comes as no surprise it has been a key part of the FIL teat care range for over a decade.
Udder health is key
Water and mud strip the protective natural oils from the skin. Cold, wet muddy conditions experienced in early lactation will induce hardening and thickening of teat skin and cause the drying and chapping of the teat itself. The cow is then cupped for milking, and during this process the teat is stretched to a third longer under vacuum, causing cracks and sores.
Rough, cracked teat skin is painful and leads to uncomfortable cows during milking with increased kicking and stomping, while also providing an environment for bacteria-inducing pathogens to thrive.
Why Manuka honey?
The antibacterial horsepower of Manuka honey is well-researched, showing it to be effective at treating and preventing wound infections. On top of that, it takes moisture from the air and holds it against the skin which helps keep skin hydrated. This provides an optimum environment for skin repair and regeneration.
Much like Aloe Vera, another moisturising agent found in our teat care range, Manuka honey packs a real punch when it comes to improving skin elasticity and promoting skin rejuvenation.
When cracked, chapped, or damaged teat skin is nourished and repaired, the teats become soft, supple, and more comfortable during milking.
Sticking power
The consistency of the Manuka honey combines with the special agents in our teat care products to get good adhesion to the teat and remain so for an extended period of time.
This allows our high-strength actives to kill more bugs while enabling effective conditioning to take place because of the prolonged contact time on the teat.
Good teat condition is essential in the fight against damage and infection, and the wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties of Manuka honey make it the optimal performer when it comes to looking after your cows’ teats.
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