StopLac: a solution for antibiotic-free dry-off at French farm

In Finistère, France, Audrey and Dominique work together to manage a herd of around 90 dairy cows, with the help of a part-time employee. Equipped with two milking robots, the farm produces an annual benchmark of 900,000 liters of milk.

The farmers have been using the StopLac Tablet since its launch, and have already been able to test it on 14 cows. Here’s their initial feedback.

In search of solutions to reduce the need for antibiotics on the farm

Audrey wanted to try the StopLac Tablet to reduce her consumption of antibiotics at dry-off: “I’ve been trying to reduce the use of antibiotics on the farm for ten years now.

Rapid visual effects with StopLac Tablet

“The cows don’t have engorged udders. We notice that after 3-4 days, the udder is dry for cows dried off with the StopLac Tablet.

StopLac Tablet is administered orally as a bolus: “It’s easier to administer as a bolus, we have a head lift, so I can even do it on my own.”

A response to current regulations prohibiting the systematic use of antibiotics at dry-off

“It’s also a solution for complying with regulations. We haven’t been allowed to administer antibiotics systematically for three years now.

Audrey’s decision-making criteria for the dry-off protocol

Audrey is currently studying several criteria in order to define the dry-off protocol to be adopted:

• Milk production at dry-off: all cows over 20 kg receive StopLac Tablet
• Cell count, if >150,000 for multiparous cows and >100,000 for primiparous cows: Audrey also administers antibiotics.
• The occurrence or absence of a mammary problem during lactation: antibiotics are systematically added.

Audrey pays close attention to environmental conditions to limit the risk of contamination during this transition.