Udder marking systems

17 Jul 2024

Having a clear and simple-to-use animal identification strategy, that allows staff to clearly identify cows at a glance, is best practice for effective herd management. The key is to ensure your whole team (including relief milkers) know and use the same marking system.

Marking treated cows as well as colostrum cows means you discount the risk of contaminating milk. You also reduce the risk of infected cows passing on bacteria to the rest of the herd.

Simple identification of colostrum cows

Colostrum cows must be withheld from the milking herd for eight milkings. That means four days if you are twice-a-day (TAD) or eight days if you are once-a-day (OAD).
Heifers should be withheld for 10 milkings – this is because colostrum milk may contain dry cow therapy residue.

3 ways to mark colostrum cows

All of the systems are proven to work well. Decide which one to implement on-farm and communicate that to everyone on your team.

Option 1: Milk the Smiley Face

Day 1: using BLUE - mark a dot on the top left of the cow's udder
Day 2: using BLUE - mark a dot on the top right of the cow's udder
Day 3: using BLUE - mark a dot in the middle of the udder, under the previous day's dots
Day 4: using BLUE - draw a smile at the bottom of the 3 previous blue dots

A blue smiley face on the cow's udder indicates the cow can now join the main herd.

Option 2: The 4 Dots Principle

Day 1: using BLUE - mark a dot on the top left of the cow's udder
Day 2: using BLUE - mark a dot on the top right of the cow's udder
Day 3: using BLUE - mark a dot on the bottom left of the cow's udder
Day 4: using BLUE - mark a dot on the bottom right of the cow's udder

4 blue dots on the cow's udder indicates the cow can now join the main herd.

How to mark treatment cows:

Quarters:

Using Red Udder Mark, create a cross with a dot to indicate the quarter(s) that is under treatment.

Treatments:

Mark the left tag after each treatment with Red, which indicated the number of treatments.

Withholding Days:

Mark the right leg after each day of withholding with Red to indicate the milk withholding days.

Green to Go:

Cover all red paint with Green Udder Mark when the cow is able to return to the milking herd.

When a cow is identifies to require treatment, follow the M.R.S T process.

Mark the cow following the steps above when she requires antibiotic treatment.

Record the cow's number and treatment details. Add these to your animal health records.

Separate the cow from the milking herd.

Treat the sick cows with appropriate medication.

FIL’s range of aerosol markers are the simplest and most cost-effective method for marking animals after calving. View our range here or find them at your local rural retail store.

If you need help implementing a colostrum marking plan call your local FIL Area Manager on 0508 434 569.