STUDIES ON THE USE OF BACTERICIDAL RUBBER IN MILKING MACHINE CLUSTERS

SUMMARY: Bactericidal rubber containing tetramethylthiuram disulphide was used in milking machine clusters cleaned by immersion in caustic soda on four farms, and by ordinary chemical sterilization on eight farms. Some reduction in the bacterial content of clusters was brought about by the bactericidal rubber, but high bacterial counts were not prevented, particularly where cleaning was inadequate. 'Fatigue splitting' of bactericidal rubber liners occurred after two to six weeks use.