cow teats: continued

You'll see some changes in your cow's teats over time. It's good to know what's normal. Here are a few things we've seen and dealt with:

Scratched teats, of course. This'll happen when you carry your tender parts between your back legs. It's especially likely in a rough pasture, where there are briars, black locust, and so on. Sometimes scratches can be quite deep, but as long as they don't cut into the milk canal, they're okay. Be gentle while you're milking her, and slap some bag balm on afterward.

Skin tags on teats. Some cows get them -- some cows get quite a few of them. They'll grow, dry out, hang there for a while, and then drop off. Maybe they're viral (like warts). No clue here, but they're not a problem. Ignore them.

Spots or blisters. You'd think this one would show up in more cow manuals, but we can't find it. Happens sometimes. Looks like chicken pox. Cow pox, maybe? Nothing scary here -- exposure to cow pox is supposed to have been why dairymaids once had the reputation for fine complexions: they formed a natural immunity to small pox and were spared the scarring that marked many survivors of the disease. In any case, not a problem. They'll scab over and then heal without your doing a thing. Slap on some bag balm.

Tooth marks, if she's nursing a calf (or two, or three). Calves are no respecters of persons. If mama really objects, she'll wean the calf. If you really object, you can wean the calf yourself. Otherwise, bag balm.

Teat care: Be nice to your cow's teats -- these are some of the most important tools on the farm. Leave your diamond signet rings next to the dairy sink so they don't pinch or poke her.

Never pull on teats. Yes, we know there is a school of thought that says you should 'strip' milk by pulling down on a wet teat to get the last drops of cream. We eschew it. Finish with massage of the quarter and respectfully firm squeezing of the teat, but don't pull.

Warm or cool water for washing teats before milking -- no soaps, detergents, antibacterials -- just plain water. Dry completely, especially in winter. No teat dips unless you have a really good reason. Be liberal with the bag balm.