Relative Effectiveness of Paper Towels, Cloth Towels and Dry Bare Hands in Cleaning the Udder and in Stimulating Milk Let-Down

Summary Damp paper towels, damp cloths and dry bare hands were compared in effectiveness of stimulating milk let-down and in cleaning the udder prior to machine milking. No significant differences were obtained among these methods in stimulating milk let-down, as measured by graphic milk flow records obtained during the milking process. Sediment ratings of the milk obtained under three different udder treatments averaged 0.19mg. for paper towels, 0.15mg. for cloths, and 0.43mg. for dry bare hands. Differences between the dry hand method and either cloth or paper were highly significant, whereas differences between the paper towels and cloths were not statistically significant. Differences in standard plate counts and coliform counts of milk obtained under the three different udder treatments were not statistically significant.