A system for assessing cow cleanliness

The repercussions of modern farming methods and the trend towards intensification are coming under increasing public scrutiny. Following the outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157 infection in the mid-1990s, abattoirs; have imposed standards for the cleanliness of animals submitted for slaughter. It would seem prudent for the dairy industry to remain free from reproach. A high standard of cow cleanliness indicates limited exposure to environmental mastitis pathogens and is elementary to food safety, hygiene and quality assurance schemes. This article describes a numerical scoring system for assessing both cow cleanliness and nutritional status as defined by faecal consistency (which appears to be a dominant factor in determining cow cleanliness). it also suggests a number of practical ways of improving the standard of cow cleanliness.