Techniques for detection of mastitis-causing bacteria for milking goats

For the past two years our research has emphasized the teat contact surface for dairy animals in both cow and goat milking parlors. The soft parts of a milking machine represent an excellent habitat for mastitis-causing bacteria. An inflation used for one year on a goat dairy was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis for X-rays (EDAX) and bacteria isolation techniques and then compared with rubber surfaces used on other dairy animals. The porous nature of rubber contact surfaces, inflations, liners and milk tubes was well exemplified by SEM with used inflations showing extensive cracking. Chemical element accumulation in the rubber pores was demonstrated by EDAX. A used goat inflation had excessive amounts of sodium, potassium, chlorine, calcium, sulfur and magnesium in these pores. Mastitis-causing bacteria were isolated and cultured from the surface of inflations used on goat herds. The same goat inflation had counts of bacteria colonies which increased 1000-fold when the rubber was ground and then cultured. Bacteria occupy the deep pores and cracks making sanitation of equipment difficult. Silicone rubber is an ideal product to use to prevent extensive bacteria habitats from developing in inflations and milk tubes