Hyperkeratosis can be caused by improper milking equipment performance, or improper milking procedures, however, during the winter and spring, hyperkeratosis and teat skin cracking is typically brought on by drastic temperature shifts that occur during this time of the year.

According to a paper by Leo Timms, Iowa State University, presented at the 2004 NMC Meeting, temperatures do not have to reach freezing to see teat-end cracking.  Timms, who has done extensive research on winter conditions and teat health goes on to say that cracking seems to be related to the degree of change (warm to cold; cold to warm) as well as raw temperature, and can occur at much higher temperatures and very high frequencies.  He adds that many teats will self-cure after the teat acclimates to conditions, but that other stressors such as the milking machine, nutrition, and the environment can accentuate the problem once cracking occurs.

Temperatures in many areas can fluctuate greatly, not allowing cows to acclimate to conditions, and the skin’s natural reaction is to crack and begin forming the early stages of hyperkeratosis.  Therefore, after a harsh winter, many dairy producers find their cows’ teat-ends to be rough and cracked with a great deal of hyperkeratosis.  The task for spring is to then condition the teat-ends and bring back the teat health that is needed to prevent mastitis.

This photo shows teats that are just beginning to show the signs of hyperkeratosis due to harsh/changing weather conditions.	This photo shows a more progressed case of hyperkeratosis that has developed due to harsh/changing weather conditions.	This photos show teats that are beginning to soften and heal from hyperkeratosis due to harsh/changing weather conditions.	This is another photo that shows the beginning stages of teats starting to soften and heal from hyperkeratosis due to harsh/changing weather conditions.

Article Resources: L. Timms, Iowa State University, Winter Conditions and Teat Health: Why and What To Do, NMC Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2004; A. Johnson, We Can Avoid Bad Teat-ends, Hoard's Dairyman, May 10, 2003; A. Johnson and D. Reid, Troubleshooting Herds With Poor Teat Condition, NMC Annual Meeting Proceedings, 2003.