Healthy Teats, Happy Herd: Fall & Winter Skin Prep

As temperatures drop and the air turns dry, dairies across the country are beginning to see something familiar, a rise in teat skin condition issues. While they may seem minor at first, teat skin issues can escalate quickly — and the best time to address them is before visible signs appear.

It’s important to remember that teat skin health and teat end health are not the same thing, but they are closely connected. Healthy skin provides the first line of defense against bacteria, while a well-formed, smooth teat end protects the internal canal. When either one is compromised, the other soon follows.

Why Skin Issues Spike in the Fall and Winter

Several factors come together as fall turns to winter:

· Temperature and humidity fluctuation

· Post dips meant for summer season

· Bedding material

If this sounds familiar, think of what happens to our own lips in cold, dry weather. When the temperature drops and humidity fluctuates, our lips quickly become dry, tight, and prone to cracking. Often in vertical fissures that sting and split easily. The same thing happens to cows’ teats. Those vertical lesions along the teat sidewalls? They’re essentially chapped skin — small at first, but quick to worsen without early care and protection.

When skin becomes dry, flaky, or chapped, it not only looks bad, but it is also extremely painful. Cows with irritated teats are more likely to kick units off, show signs of milk let down issues, milk out unevenly, and show signs of stress in the parlor.

Bedding Management: The Foundation of Skin Health

Good teat skin starts from the ground up. Bedding that stays clean, dry, and well-maintained helps minimize exposure to moisture, bacteria, and abrasive particles.

· Keep bedding dry: Moisture is the enemy of healthy skin. Regularly groom stalls and replenish bedding to maintain a clean surface.

· Avoid fine or dusty materials: These can wick moisture and irritate the skin.

· Hydrated Lime: When adding in lime to stalls, mixing it in is important to prevent direct contact with teat surface.

A proactive bedding management routine can reduce bacterial exposure and minimize the need for excessive and costly post-dip treatments later on.

Choosing the Right Post Dip for Skin Protection

During the colder months, it’s time to re-evaluate your post dip. A good dip should both disinfect and condition, not one or the other.

Look for post dips that include:

· Emollients (like glycerin or lanolin) to replenish natural oils.

· Balanced germicides that kill bacteria effectively but remain gentle on the skin.

· Film-forming conditioners that create a protective barrier against cold and wind exposure in extreme conditions.

For example, an iodine based dip with 10–12% (sometimes up to 16%) emollient content can provide excellent protection while keeping the skin supple and hydrated.

Using a FutureCow Prep System with warm water or our Prep Solution Warmer can also enhance the cow’s comfort and improve product absorption. Helping skin recover faster while supporting better milk letdown.

Skin Conditioning vs. Teat End Health

It’s worth repeating – teat skin health focuses on the external surface: hydration, elasticity, and barrier protection. Teat end health, on the other hand, relates to the structural integrity of the teat sphincter and canal.

They serve different purposes, but both are essential. You can’t maintain excellent teat ends on unhealthy skin and vice versa. The best herds manage both through balanced bedding practices, proper milking prep, and smart product selection.

The Bottom Line

Healthy skin is the foundation of milking comfort, production efficiency, and udder defense. As we head into the cooler, drier months, now is the time to reassess your bedding program and your post-milking care routine.

Just like we reach for lip balm when our lips start to dry out, cows benefit from consistent moisturizing and protection. A few small adjustments today can prevent painful skin issues tomorrow while maintaining comfortable cows and milk quality and parlor performance running smoothly all season long.