National Mastitis Council Protocols, Guidelines and Procedures

To produce milk quality of the highest level, milk quality experts from around the world have developed protocols, guidelines and procedures to achieve this goal. Decades of research have gone into creating a milking process that helps achieve top milk quality and healthy dairy cows. Stripping out foremilk and applying teat dip are two important steps in the milking process. Use these resources to help harvest top-quality milk.

To view the NMC Protocols, Guidelines and Procedures, click on the titles below:

Guidelines for Proper Storage and Handling of Teat Disinfectants (PDF)

Guidelines for Evaluating Teat Skin Condition (PDF)

National Mastitis Council Guidelines for Testing of Teat Disinfectants for Efficacy in Preventing Mastitis 8-1-16 (PDF)

Guidelines for Developing Teat Sanitizer Concentrates (PDF)

Guidelines on Normal and Abnormal Raw Milk Based on Somatic Cell Counts and Signs of Clinical Mastitis (PDF)

Guidelines For Accurate Sampling and Reporting of Bulk Milk Cell Counts (PDF)

Guidelines for On-Farm Transfer of Teat Disinfectants (PDF)

Procedures for Collecting Milk Samples (PDF)

Using Bulk Tank Milk Cultures in a Dairy Practice (PDF)

Using Genomic Selection to Improve Mastitis Resistance (PDF)