Two new advanced, easy-to-use teat sprays for the dairy industry, designed to minimise bacterial infections, are now available in the UK from local agent KiwiKit.

Manufactured by New Zealand based dairy hygiene company, FIL, these new teat sprays encompass all situations and requirements, using either a chlorhexidine or iodine base to assist in decreasing the bacterial invasion of teats.

FIL recommends year-round teat spraying or dipping to assist in keeping somatic cell counts down, and to maintain healthy teat skin condition.

Iodoshield Active has been one of FIL’s most popular new product introductions with farmers because of its excellent antibacterial qualities that enhance the proven ability of iodine to reduce teat surface bacteria. The addition of Manuka honey, with its antibacterial properties, has been proven to be particularly effective in the demanding conditions of commercial dairy farms.

Iodoshield Active’s success was no accident. FIL carried out extensive field-testing in many farms around New Zealand to ensure that it could deliver in a wide range of conditions. This included whole herd evaluations of teat condition, using the National Mastitis Council’s protocol for teat condition scoring.

In addition a separate trial involving a 700 cow herd had the herd split into two. One half was sprayed with a conventional iodine-based spray, whilst the other was treated with Iodoshield Active.

Carried out under veterinary supervision, the scoring included inspection for dryness, chapping and teat end damage. The cows treated with Iodoshield Active recorded a perfect “5”, against “3.5” for those treated with a conventional iodine spray.

Iodoshield Active combines a unique combination of Manuka honey and quality skin care components in a single mix formulation, with an iodine base and in 100 litre or 20 litre sizes.

Its skin care ingredients improve teat condition and smoothness, whilst honey locks in moisture around the teat surface ensuring excellent adherence and surface coverage. No extra emollient is required as an additive, keeping costs and mixing time down, whilst the high quality iodine base ensures a proven means of decreasing the bacterial invasion of the teat assisting in controlling somatic cell counts through season.

The development of Iodoshield Active represents two years’ of research and field trial work, and has been proven in thousands of applications in New Zealand since its commercial launch in 2008. FIL’s chlorhexidine based teat spray or dip, Ultracare Teat Shield, has a proven formulation that ensures optimum flow, through vacuum-driven teat spraying systems, to deliver an even droplet size and dispersal upon the teat surface itself. Like the Iodoshield range, Ultracare Teat Shield has Protocol A approval – defined by a minimum of a 1,000-fold reduction in teat bacteria within 10 minutes of application.

The second new product, FIL’s chlorhexidine based teat spray or dip, Ultracare Teat Shield, has a proven formulation that ensures optimum flow, through vacuum-driven teat spraying systems, to deliver an even droplet size and dispersal upon the teat surface itself. Like the Iodoshield range, Ultracare Teat Shield has Protocol A approval – defined by a minimum of a 1,000-fold reduction in teat bacteria within 10 minutes of application.

Ultracare Teat Shield provides farmers with an alternative to the more commonly used iodine-based teat sprays and is particularly to those users who may be affected by allergies, or whose skin is sensitive to iodine-based solutions. Protocol A is accepted within the industry as the most accurate and accredited means of assessing a teat spray’s sanitising ability.

Ultracare Teat Shield features an excellent product viscosity for spray or dip applications, with consistent bacteria knock-down ability and is also available in 100 litre and 20 litre sizes.

Both Ultracare Teatshield and Iodoshield Active are now registered for sale in the United Kingdom. Kiwikit recommends that when you use either of the products, do so safely by always reading the label and product information before use.

For supply and details see www.kiwikit.co.uk Telephone 01584 879959 Or email:   This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it