and surcingles reduce the likelihood of contamination of the milker's hands between the milking of one (1) lactating animal and the milking of another.
This Item is deemed to be satisfied when:
In milking barns in which water under pressure is not available, the floor may be brushed-dry and limed. In the latter event, care should be exercised to prevent caking of the lime. When lime or phosphate is used, it shall be spread evenly on the floor as a thin coating. If clean floors are not maintained by this method, the Regulatory Agency should require cleaning with water.
The cowyard shall be graded and drained and shall have no standing pools of water or accumulations of organic wastes. Provided, that in loafing or lactating animal-housing areas, lactating animal droppings and soiled bedding shall be removed, or clean bedding added, at sufficiently frequent intervals to prevent the soiling of the lactating animal's udder and flanks. Cooling ponds shall be allowed provided they are constructed and maintained in a manner that does not result in the visible soiling of flanks, udders, bellies and tails of lactating animals exiting the pond. Waste feed shall not be allowed to accumulate. Manure packs shall be properly drained and shall provide a reasonably firm footing. Swine shall be kept out of the cowyard.
The cowyard is interpreted to be that enclosed or unenclosed area in which the lactating animals are apt to congregate, approximately adjacent to the barn, including animal-housing areas. This area is; therefore, particularly apt to become filthy with manure droppings, which may result in the soiling of the lactating animal's udders and flanks. The grading and drainage of the cowyard, as far as is practicable, is required because wet conditions are conducive to fly breeding and make it difficult to keep manure removed and the lactating animals clean. If manure and barn sweepings are allowed to accumulate in the cowyard, fly breeding will be promoted, and the