Pressbarrow Farm is an arable and dairy farm supplying milk to Tesco Dairies, it has 250 head of cattle and milks 90 cattle twice per day. Historically, the farm has suffered from cross contamination of digital dermatitis with up to 28% of the herd being infected (see data graphs). In addition, there were high levels of mastitis in the herd. In early 2020, these conditions resulted in regular cell counts over 200 and occasionally over the 300 mark which was unacceptable. The farm had large veterinary bills with a reduced income because of poor quality milk production.
In addition, in young calves there were cases of scour, pneumonia and crypto resulting in prolonged calf sickness and poor body mass growth. In Feb 2020, I was introduced to Selective Micro and its development of innovative cleaning products for animal health care and milk collection and storage systems. After discussions with the Pressbarrow Farm vet, who reviewed all the technical data on all the Selective Micro products, we commenced product trials under his supervision.
Mastitis
In January 2020, 26 cattle (15%) were suffering with mastitis and the farm was using 4 boxes of antibiotics monthly but this still did not reduce the rates of infection and the cell count peaked at 321. Using Selective Micro’s Selectrocide product as a pre-wash of the teat before milking cleared the mastitis and reduced the cell count so that by January 2021 we had ZERO cases of mastitis in the herd. We occasionally see 1 or 2 cows showing early signs of mastitis and instantly wash the teats and udder which has resulted in us now controlling our cases effectively. In March, we had one case of mastitis due to a wet bedding issue which has been resolved.
Since using Udder Shield, cell counts have dropped significantly and have remained low which has meant less use of mastitis tubes and subsequently less drying out tubes due to lower cell count which means only teat sealant has been required (150scc or below). It has been noted that cows which have been in a drying off period after using Udder Shield have a much lower cell count on returning to milking which continues after subsequent calvings.
Digital Dermatitis
At the end of 2019 the farm had 28% of cows suffering with recurring digital dermatitis, this is a common problem in many dairy farms as the cows even after using Formulin footbaths spend a great deal of time standing in excrement which provides the perfect breeding ground for the infection. We started using Selectrocide as cleaning products to the cows hoofs during checks and trimming.
The two products were applied to all the infected cows in the herd, this was carried out using hand held trigger sprays during milking and when pulling a cow into the crush for checking. Cows who were lame as a result of infection were back in the fields within a couple of days and cases of digital dermatitis dropped significantly. The farm keeps a stock of both Digiclean and Digibarrier to use if there are any signs of reinfection. Since using these products, the farm has had 3 visits from the hoof trimmer and he has reported on each occasion that the levels of digital dermatitis have now dropped by 80%.
We intend to trial a Selective Micro foot bath of the Digiclean product to determine ease of application, and success in digital dermatitis reduction.
Dairy Shock
During 2020, the UK dairy industry detected residues of chloride powders in powdered dairy products such as cheese and baby foods. It was determined that existing dairy machine cleaning products where the source of these residues. An equipment cleaning product needed to be found that would leave NO residues. Selective Micro ‘Dairy Shock” product was produced with differing percentages of chlorine dioxide ( 25:1, 50:1, 100:1 and 200:1). I trialled the different concentrations and found that using 100:1 provided the same cleaning ability as our existing alkaline based cleaners and maintained a Bactoscan result below 20. On testing we have NO chlorine powder residues in our system.
Animal Housing Cleaner / Calf Shield
Like most farms rearing calves has issues, and although our calf rearing shed was cleaned and had regular bedding changes we experienced significant cases of scour and ultimately lost calves. In 2020, Selective Micro undertook a complete shed clean. Microbiological tests were taken before and after the clean the facility before clean and after. In addition, Selective Micro provided full microbial sterilization after the initial steam clean and then applied a microbial barrier to all surfaces prior to re-bedding. Once this was done Selective Micro provided us with fogging equipment to mist the shed twice daily with the calves in situ.
Areas of all working surfaces were tested with APT Hygiena ultra snap test swabs. After the removed of all bedding and solid waste the floors, walls and fencing were jet washed and steam cleaned. APT testing was repeated in the same areas while the building was allowed to dry for around 2 hours with all doors open. After this the whole area was mist sprayed with Selective Micro Animal Housing surface steriliser to microbially clean all surfaces, the product was allowed to dry, and again APT testing was conducted. The Animal Housing Barrier was then applied via electrostatic sprayer and allowed to dry. One final ATP testing was undertaken to complete the application data. 14 days later APT testing was conducted again on bedding, floor, railings and walls and all the readings are recorded in the table below.
After the complete shed clean and sterilisation I have continued to use Selective Micro’s Calf Shield product using a fine mist applicator machine, image below. This was carried out every morning as we checked the calves and every evening, it took around 5 minutes each time and the applicator quickly covered the walls, railings and bedding maintaining a cleaner environment and reducing any possible infections. The calves started to look very healthy quickly with a noticeable drop in odour within the shed and very glossy coats. Historically we had multiple cases of scour and this had been quick to spread around all the calves even with the separation gates. We had been using a minimum of one box of effydral tablets per month and at least one bucket of electrolytes.
During the winter months which are historically the worst months for pneumonia, scour and E.coli we had a calf occasionally show signs of infection but within 24 hours the calves are back to eating and drinking as normal.
As a result of the deep clean, sterilisation and Calf Shield application we have had NO cases of scour within the calf shed in the last three months.
Dermatitis and Mastitis treatment
Selective Micro’s Digi Clean and Digi Barrier clears infection and provides protection for cattle from Digital Dermatitis. The “ready to use” products will quickly clear infection and help protect against it returning, reducing lameness and the need for costly antibiotics which would result in milk being disposed of.
The products are designed to be applied by farm staff when the animals are in the milking parlour. During milking, the cattle feet are firstly washed and allowed to dry naturally generally through a foot bath; then the feet are sprayed with the Digi Clean which kills the bacteria causing the infection, allowed to dry; then the feet are sprayed with the Digi Barrier; the barrier acts like an invisible sticking plaster protecting the feet from bacteria re-entering skin wounds and causing further infection.
Trials of the Digital Dermatitis treatments have proven extremely successful, from an initial herd infection level above 30% the farmer reported less than 5% of cattle had protracted infections within 30 days of first application, and after 6 months the infection level is 2-3%. Upon identifying any cattle with new infection the treatment is applied and improvements seen within 24 hours.Digi Clean and Digi Barrier can also be used to treat infections in sheep, pigs and goats, albeit this opportunity is not included in the projected financials.
Selective Micro’s Udder Clean treatment for Mastitis in lactating animals cleans out the bacteria which enters the teat causing mastitis. This product, used in the food industry, reduces infection and the need for antibiotics and the milk will not need to be disposed of during treatment. During extensive trials, farmers have seen milk cell counts drop from existing levels in the 300-400 range drop within 48 hours and be sustained several months later at levels of 110-115 and reporting healthy soft and supple teats in the herds.
Calf Hygiene
Selective Micro’s Animal Housing Cleaner and Barrier products are first used to sterilise the calving areas and the rearing sheds, these are delivered as a service to farmers, with the farmers physically cleaning the areas of dirt and bedding before an approved Selective Micro contractor applies these products. These products clean and protect calving areas within the farm from infection, thereby reducing the instances of “Crypto” infections which result in diarrhoea in calves. In addition,
Selective Micro sells the Calf Shield which can be mist sprayed daily over the calves in the rearing shed providing microbial protection on the bedding and the animals during their first 2-3 weeks. The product is supplied “ready to use” and can be applied through misting by farm staff or via an automated delivery device installed by Selective Micro contractors.
The products will quickly clear infection and help protect against it returning, reducing loss of calves and reduce the need for antibiotics and veterinary bills and ensure unaffected animal growth. As noted, the appropriate accreditations for the animal healthcare products are being progressed.
Cleaning and long lasting barrier treatment
The core hygiene cleaning and barrier products deliver reliable long-lasting protection against viruses, bacteria and germs. The products remain on the treated surfaces continuing to kill viruses, bacteria and germs on contact for several weeks depending on the chosen treatment. This allows businesses to provide reliable ongoing protection for its clients and staff.
The Selective Micro misting products are fully patented, licensed and accredited health and hygiene products that kills viruses, bacteria and germs including: Coronavirus, Norovirus, Flu Viruses, Ecoli, Salmonella and Campylobacter, H1 N1 Bird flu, HIV and many others.
These products are core to the contractor and corporate segment offering - providing longer term protection for customers and clients from contact transmission of infection.
The application eco-system requires premises to be treated on an ongoing basis (may be more frequent depending upon the facility/business).
Conclusion
Pressbarrow Farm saw a complete turnaround after implementing Selectrocide across its operation. Mastitis was eliminated from 15% of the herd to zero within a year, while cell counts dropped from a peak of 321 to consistently below 150. Antibiotic use, previously at four boxes per month, was reduced to almost none, lowering costs and eliminating milk loss. Digital dermatitis cases fell by roughly 80%, with faster recovery times and fewer recurring infections. In calf housing, improved hygiene protocols led to zero cases of scour over a three-month period and noticeably healthier animals. Across the farm, measurable sanitation improvements and residue-free cleaning further supported milk quality and operational efficiency. The result is a healthier herd, lower input costs, and a simpler, more effective approach to farm hygiene.