The Importance of Emollients in Winter Weather

We all know that winter weather can wreak havoc on a dairy farm. Machinery doesn’t always run as smoothly as it should, gates, doors and locks freeze shut, and no one wants to be outside any longer than they have to in bitter cold temperatures. But perhaps one of the biggest problems winter weather brings to a dairy farm is teat skin damage - damage that can eventually lead to mastitis, lower milk production, and decreased profits.

When winter hits, below zero temperatures and wind chills cause teat skin damage, through cracking, chapping, and frostbite. However, another factor to keep in mind in the winter is that the relative humidity, inside and outside the barn, is very low. These conditions combined, contribute to the excess drying that can be seen on many teats in the winter.

Emollients are added to teat dips as a means of providing a skin conditioner that will help protect, heal and soften teat skin in harsh weather conditions. What makes WestfaliaSurge winter dips unique is that they have such high levels of emollients, ranging from 74-76%. With high levels of emollients, the probability of chapping and frostbite can be lessened. The emollients provide a physical barrier that will not freeze even at very cold temperatures. This helps protect the teat from the chilling effects of below freezing wind chills, such as frostbite. Also, since our winter dips contain very little water, they prevent or slow evaporation. This slows moisture loss and helps prevent the decrease in the temperature of the teat skin surface that evaporation causes, which may increase skin drying and frostbite.

In addition to high emollient levels our winter teat dips also provide effective germicidal activity against mastitis causing bacteria. The time tested germicide in DermaSept® (capriccaprylic acid) and Derma-Kote® (iodine) reduces mastitis pathogens present on the teat skin. These products have been protocol tested using methods recommended by the NMC, and also have been tested in field trials across the U.S.; both tests proving the dips’ effectiveness at reducing the number of new intramammary infections.

During cold, winter weather, teat skin damage is the number one factor predisposing cows to mastitis. With WestfaliaSurge brand winter teat dips, dairymen can dip in harsh winter weather and lessen their worry about teat skin damage, and increased mastitis.

Click here for more information about Derma-Kote and DermaSept Winter Teat Dips from WestfaliaSurge.