All milking cows, goats, and other mammals should meet basic animal health requirements. Distributing milk or milk products from diseased animals could be dangerous.
Your animals should test negative for diseases that can be transmitted to people through raw milk. An accredited veterinarian can collect and submit official samples for animal health testing. The Montana Local Food Choice Act states every lactating cow, goat, or lactating sheep that is part of a small dairy shall be tested for Brucellosis annually. In addition:
Animals should also be tested for tuberculosis and Q Fever (see chart, next page), as well as for any other diseases as recommended by the state veterinarian. (If new diseases emerge, the state veterinarian may suggest additional tests.)
Your animals should be tested prior to being used to produce milk, and then annually after that.
Additions to the herd should test negative for disease within the previous thirty days before introduction into the herd. This includes all fresh cows, calves, and other livestock (chickens, pigs, etc.)
Animal health testing records should be kept for each animal that is used (or intended to be used) to produce raw milk or raw milk products.
Having all the right equipment and facilities won't matter if your animals are sick. Milk sick animals produce can make people sick.
There are other animal health requirements, too:
Any animal showing chronic mastitis, whether producing abnormal milk or not, should be permanently excluded from the milking herd. Animals producing bloody, stringy, or otherwise abnormal milk, but with only slight inflammation of the udder should be excluded from the herd until re-examination shows that the milk has become normal.
Ensure the herd stays clean. This is especially important during winter months when animals may be confined indoors. Using composted bed packs may help reduce filth.
Good herd inventory and animal health records provide information that helps monitor public health disease concerns.
Good herd management and biosecurity practices can help keep your animals healthy and productive. Having all the right equipment and facilities won't matter if your animals are sick, the milk they produce can make customers sick. Work with your accredited veterinarian to develop a herd health plan.
Having all the right
equipment and
facilities won't
matter if your
animals are sick.
Milk sick animals
produce can make
people sick.
Your vet can help you create a plan to address:
Vaccination.
Nutrition.
Animal comfort and safety.
Mastitis prevention.
Early identification and treatment of ill animals.
Effective and appropriate treatment protocols.