Sanitisation in buffalo dairies

One of the aspects which is often overlooked on farms is the kind of environment in which the animals live. Optimum cattle-breeding farm management requires the use of techniques and systems specially designed to improve both operators’ working conditions together with standards of sanitary health and hygiene in the animals’ environment. Nowadays, it is widely accepted that good farm management leads to healthy animals, a better «finished product» and higher profit. In fact, studies have shown that dairies with high levels of infections are often linked to over- crowding and inadequate housing conditions. We can improve this by adopting preventive measures aimed at reducing environmental microbic pressure through the introduction of consistently regular methods of cleaning and disinfection. Moreover, special attention should be paid to standard procedures in maintaining hygiene (CIP washing) in milking systems and milk refrigeration tanks. If thorough disinfection is not carried out regularly, a higher risk of animal infection and a reduction of the quality of the finished product could potentially occur. The largest number of infections come from the bedding areas and are mainly caused by the presence of contamination from organic matter. Microbiological contamination can also be found on the walls, floors, in the feeding and drinking troughs, in small drains and in the operators’ toilet area. Therefore, a planned programme aimed at cleaning and regular disinfection is absolutely indispensable.