[insert business name] [insert business logo]
Standard Operating Procedures
1Milk Harvesting
Movement of cows to and from paddock to dairy
–Check to see where the herd is now and where it is going next
–Perform pre use check of motorbike
–Apply sunscreen and protective clothing, when applicable
–Put on safety helmet. Never carry passengers
–Ride to collect herd, exercising appropriate care and adhering to farm speed restrictions
–Upon reaching paddock, open gate
–Drive out around cows and herd quietly towards gate
–Use farm safety approved tapes across tracks
–Observe troughs and fences. Fix problems where possible. If not possible, report problem on return to the dairy.
–Push cows into laneway
–Go back and wind up/shift temporary electric fence if required
–Gently move herd towards the dairy at comfortable walking pace, taking note of any sick or lame cows
–If cows are not walking do not try to force from the rear but walk through them to keep them moving
–Check that the yard gates are open to allow free flow into the yards do not force from behind if not sure
–Secure cows in holding yard.
–Check with milkers to determine end of previous herd (if applicable)
–If not finished, assist milkers by cleaning up or giving a break
–When putting the cows away, follow last cow out and reset gates for next herd
–Lock herd away
–If a cow is down lame or sick - treat or immediately report to appropriate person for assistance
–Work as a team - communicate effectively with each other
–Report any bike mechanical faults
Start up and operation of milking plant and feed system
Rotary (Cups on)
–Remove wash line hose from platform
–Wet down walls and concrete
–Press RED button to start hydraulics
–Press Green button to start milking machines
–Check the emergency stop mechanism and ensure that it is functioning before beginning milking
–Purge water from lines
–Connect hose to vat and open valve
–Check vat is turned on
–Make sure that hands are dry when touching electrical switches
–Run platform
–Press Blue button to turn on feed system
–Open gate to allow cows to enter platform
–Check that feed is being delivered.
–To prepare for cupping up, stand about 4 cow spaces from bridge
–Do not place head under the protective rails when cupping up heifers or short cows. Seek or give assistance when required.
–Check for mastitis
–Help...Detecting Mastitis 1. Strip any suspect quarters. Check for abnormal size of a quarter. Check any abnormal heat.
–Help... For further information on mastitis prevention and control is available from
–Mark and chain any cows with mastitis for catching and treatment
–Mark and chain any cows that are sick or lame and chain for catching and treatment
–Press Red attach button
–Control cow flow using backing gate
–Control cow flow on and off the platform
–Put cups on clean dry teats
–If a cow comes around remove chain and check she is milking out
–Keep the work area in a clean uncluttered state. Hang up the hoses.
–Change over gates to allow new herd to enter yard
–Change filter socks between milking
–Don’t run in the dairy
–Start the clean up while awaiting cows to finish milking
Herringbone (Cups on)
–Wet down walls and concrete
–Press Green button to start milking machines
–Drain water from lines
–Connect hose to vat and open valve
–Check vat is turned on
–Make sure that hands are dry when touching electrical switches
–Press Blue button to turn on feed system
–Do not operate the pit wash down pump from pit areas. Walk out to air space and turn on and off from this area. Electrical cords not to be left without water proof join in place
–Open gate to allow cows to enter platform
–Check that the feed delivery system is delivering the correct ration. ( Please weigh the grain ration that is delivered by the feed system weekly to ensure accuracy
–Do not place head under the protective rails when cupping up heifers or short cows. Seek or give assistance when required
–Check for mastitis.
–Help...Detecting Mastitis. Strip any suspect quarters. Check for abnormal size of a quarter. Check any abnormal heat.
–Help... For further information on mastitis prevention and control is available from
–Mark any cows with mastitis for catching and treatment
–Mark any cows that are sick or lame and catch for treatment
–Put cups on clean dry teats
–Ensure that all cows are milked out in all quarters.
–Do not over milk. Keep cups swinging constantly.
–Keep the work area in a clean uncluttered state. Hang up the hoses
–Change over gates to allow new herd to enter yard.
–Change filter socks during milking
–Don’t run in the dairy
–Start the clean up while awaiting cows to finish milking.
–Control cow flow on and off the platforms
–Avoid leaving the pit to chase cows in to the dairy.
–Help ……..Further information is available at
–Do not spray water on electrical fittings
–Check the blue inline filters to detect mastitis
Cups off and application of teat disinfectants
Rotary (Cups off)
–Stand within a metre of the control panel at exit
–Ensure ability to operate the emergency stop control
–Take care if leaving position to remove cows from the platform. Watch for reversing cows.
–Set the platform speed to ensure that the operators can comfortably complete their tasks giving consideration to repetition
–Help ……..Further information is available at
–Make sure hands are dry when touching electrical switches
–Wet down walls and concrete
–Do not spray water on electrical fittings
–Check the blue filters to detect mastitis
–Check that cows have been milked out in all quarters
–If the cow is milked out gently remove the cups by cutting the vacuum in the appropriate manner
– If the cow is not milked out, chain up and send around again
–Teat spray all milked cows ensuring that all teats are thoroughly covered with teat spray
–Avoid exposure to concentrated teat dip, keep the diluted product away from eyes
–Mix teat spray and apply strictly in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
–At the end of milking set up cups on jetters ready for the wash
–At the end of a herd, push the cows out onto lane and shut exit raceway gates
–Start the clean up
Herringbone (Cups off)
–Teat spray all milked cows ensuring that all teats are thoroughly covered with teat spray
–Avoid exposure to concentrated teat dip; keep the diluted product away from your eyes.
–Teat tip should be mixed and applied strictly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
–At the end of a herd push the cows out onto lane and shut exit raceway gates.
–Start the clean up
Identification, reporting and treatment of cows for mastitis, lameness, and other illnesses
–The operator who collects the cows should make a list of any lame or sick cows
–This list should be given to the cups on operator to enable the identification and marking of the cows
–Lame cows ,sick cows and cows with mastitis should be marked according to farm protocol and chained on for ease of identification
–The cups off operator will need to draft these cows to enable treatment
–Key in sick cows for auto drafting
–Herd records should be kept according to farm protocol
–Take care with down cows. Seek or give assistance when required.
End of milking procedure
Rotary
–Turn the set platform hose on to wash down the cups and platform
–When the milking is finished press the green button at bale 40 to purge milk
–Remove the hose from the vat
–Place cups on the jetters once the cow flow has finished and press the red attach button
–Make sure that the jetter cups are clean inside and out before fitting cups
–Press the yellow manual button
–Make sure that both the red and yellow lights are on
–Stop the platform at the wash position
–Connect the wash hose
–Replace the filter socks
–Switch the machine to wash cycle
–Add chemicals to chemical specification following chemical protocols
–Start the wash
–Take care with hot water and chemicals. Heed signage and follow instructions
–Walk around to make sure that ALL units are working
–Clean up while the first rinse goes through
–After the first rinse check the filter socks and rinse off if necessary
–At the end of the wash cycle remove the cups from the jetters and position to allow for the next milking
–Finish cleaning up and position the hoses back where they are out of the way
–Position hoses, leg clamps and loose objects to ensure that they pose no safety risk
Herringbone
–Turn the set platform hose on to wash down the cups and platform
–When the milking is finished drain milk from lines
–Remove the hose from the vat, wash down milk room floor
–Place cups on the jetters once the cow flow has finished and press the red attach button
–Make sure that the jetters cups are clean inside and out before fitting cups
–Press the yellow manual button
–Make sure that both the red and yellow lights are on
–Replace the filter socks
–Switch the machine to wash cycle
–Start the wash
–Take care with hot water and chemicals. Heed signage and follow instructions
–Walk around to make sure that ALL units are working
–Clean up while the first rinse goes through
–After the first rinse check the filter socks and rinse off if necessary
– At the end of the wash cycle remove the cups from the jetters and position to allow for the next milking
–Finish cleaning up and position the hoses back where they are out of the way
–Position hoses, leg clamps and loose objects to ensure that they pose no safety risk.
Overseeing the milking procedure
–Ensure that staff receive adequate training to be able to carry out their tasks safely
–Ensure that staff move around the dairy in a safe manner. No running or skylarking.
–Ensure that rubber matting is in place at cups off and cups on
–Ensure that no unauthorised person enters the vat. Ensure that there is always a back up person on standby when an authorised person enters the vat.
–Ensure that all milking staff are trained in the safe handling of chemicals in the dairy and are aware of the safety issues with each chemical
–Get or give assistance when lifting heavy objects
–Oversee the milking, ensuring that the staff work as a team, are organised and perform efficiently
–While working at your tasks, keep a watchful eye on staff performance in all the major milking tasks
–Provide training for staff in mastitis detection and treatment, OHS in the dairy, and general techniques
–Oversee the keeping of records for Quality Assurance and management purposes
–Ensure that sharp edges are removed from hand held wash down hoses
–Ensure safe handling of cattle
–Ensure safety devices are working
–Ensure that there is no smoking in the dairy or in confined spaces
–Observe milking machine, feed system and cooling performance. Organise repairs or adjustments.
–Observe feed quantities and reserves and ensure that there are adequate supplies into the future
–Oversee safe milking practices
–Set milking targets, inform staff of performance against targets
–Record starting and finishing times. Check against historical data for efficiency.
–Record milk volumes after each herd
–Ensure that the teat sprayer is operating properly and that the teat spray is applied safely by the operator
–Ensure that kicking cows are identified/marked
–Ensure that sick cows are drafted for treatment
–Ensure that the filters are checked and cleaned/changed if required between herds
–Ensure that the machines are washed and the clean-up is performed to specification.
–When lifting bulk loads with the front-end loader or forklift ensure that the load is secure with straps or chains
–Use the whiteboard to communicate any messages for the next milking team
–Oversee the fitting of breathing apparatus for working in dusty conditions
2Animal Husbandry
Treatment of common ailments
Downer cows
–Ensure that all downer cows are treated quickly. If you suspect milk fever or grass tetany give a 4 in 1 pack under the skin.
–Take care with downer cows. Seek or give assistance when required.
–When treating downer cows, take care to avoid injury if thrashing about. Seek assistance if desired.
Lame cows
–Identify and draft lame cows for treatment
–Take care when confining cows in the crush. Take care not to be kicked or crushed within the crush. Seek or give assistance when required.
–Use the ropes according to instructions to tie feet for examination
–Check between claws for foreign objects
–Clean feet and pare over-grown hooves
–Apply blocks to less affected soles of bruised feet using the instructions supplied
–Treat cows with penicillin when heat is detected or infections are obvious
–Help….. Information on dairy cattle feet disease and treatments are available at
–Help…..obtain the poster on lameness from your local vet practice or Dairy Industry body
Sick cows
–Record cow temperature, check for mastitis and diarrhoea or for metritis if freshly calved
–Use stethoscope and ketosticks to test for LDA
–Administer appropriate medications according to standard treatments chart
–Seek veterinary assistance for conditions that require further attention
–Assist veterinarian when needed
Management of transition cows
–Organise lead feed for transition cows
–Deliver lead feed as required
–Check calving cows at least every 2 hours during the day and every 4 hours at night
–Assist any cows that have not calved within 2 hours
–Record your visit in the calving log and record the numbers of any cows that need checking next visit
–Tag any new calves and record details of calf and mother in the calving book
–Following milking walk all the transition cows to the dairy
–Fit breathing apparatus when working in dusty conditions as per farm protocol
–Set the feed system to lead feed
–Load the cows on the platform
–Chain on any freshly calved cows for drafting. Mark the fresh cows according to farm protocol.
–Strip each quarter of the fresh cows and gently milk some milk from them, collecting the colostrum for the calves
–Treat and record any treatment cows
–Check off calving cows against the list generated from the calving cow book. Make sure that that they have all been entered on the computer system.
–Teat spray all the cows as they leave the platform
–Return the cows to the calving area, check feed and water and lock them away
–Only climb silos up the safety ladder
–Exercise care when checking silos. Never enter silos.
Newborn calf management
–Check the newborn calf and ascertain if it is a heifer or bull
–Tag all heifer calves suitable for keeping with the yellow numbered heifer tag in the left ear and the NLIS tag in the right ear
–Record details of mother and calf in the calving book
–Tag all bull calves with NLIS tag in the right ear. Record details of mother and calf in the calving book.
–Ensure that all calves have had sufficient colostrum before leaving cows
–Take care when around agitated cows.
–Twice daily collect calves in the trailer and move gently to the calf shed
–Separate the bull calves and place them in the bull pen and place the heifers in the new heifer pen
–Take care when lifting the calves into the trailer. Seek or give assistance when required.
–Ensure that bobby calves have a dry navel before sale
–Ensure that no bobby calves are sold if ill or showing signs of diarrhoea
–Gently place the calves into the clean pens. Spray navel with iodine spray. Ensure that there is an adequate cover of sawdust for calf comfort.
–Ensure that all heifer calves have had at least 4 litres of colostrum in the first 6 hours
Management of preweaned calves
–In first week of life feed the young calves 3-5 litres per day split 12 hourly, ensuring each calf receives its allocated amount.