A dairy farm is one of the best places to assess the true abilities of waterproof clothing, going way past the basic requirement of keeping out the rain. From the milking process, washing down the parlour, moving cows around in wet weather, to yard activities outdoors, UK dairy farmers require clothing resistant to water, milk, cleaning products, and slurry, among other things.
What waterproof clothing do dairy farmers need in the UK?
The environment of a typical dairy farm in the UK is much more hostile compared to an average farm environment. For instance, inside the parlor, you’ll have water jets, milk, teat dip, and cleaning agents all around you. The collecting yard and slurry pit will bring in additional mud and slurry into the equation. Ordinary outdoor waterproof jacket simply isn’t designed to take the abuse it will endure—it’ll be soaked by moisture, filled with unpleasant smells, and it won’t last nearly as long as jackets made specifically for PVC farm use.
There are two main types of waterproof clothing used in UK dairies. There’s the parlour bib & brace, which never leaves the premises and is washed thoroughly after every milking. Then there is the outer jacket, which is worn when you need to go into the yard, inspect fields, and move cattle.
Why do dairy farmers need different waterproofs to other types of farmers?
Three factors contribute to the accelerated wear of clothing in dairy farms. Firstly, the fluid environment is constant since the milking process takes place daily, hence your clothes are always wetting and drying. Secondly, the presence of harsh chemicals such as parlor washes, teat dips, acid rinses, and alkaline detergents wears down clothes made of materials susceptible to them. Lastly, variations in temperatures have an adverse effect on materials and stitches used, considering that one moves from warm conditions in the parlor to cold conditions outside.
Clothing coated with PVC in agricultural waterproofs has unique qualities that address all the aforementioned issues. It repels fluids and odors, is resistant to the chemicals in the environment, and can withstand the seasonal temperature variations.
What is the best waterproof for milking parlour work?
PVC bib and brace overalls have traditionally been used in the parlour by dairy farmers in the UK. The bib style offers coverage from chest to foot without an opening at the waist, which is important since you’ll be working in close contact with the cow and on the floor, where a jacket and trousers could leave your waist exposed.
The combination of a Stormline Stormtex 2220G Jacket and its corresponding 664G bib overalls is common among dairy farmers in the UK and Ireland. For those who would prefer one piece of clothing in the parlour, putting on the bib overall with a mid-layer underneath is ideal.
Stormline Farming Bib & Brace Overalls
PVC construction. Fully waterproof and chemical resistant. Easy to hose down between milkings. Available in green and blue. Sized S–4XL. View Farming Bibs →
Does a dairy farmer need breathable waterproofs?
On its own in the milking parlors, regular non-breathable PVC is generally quite pleasant due to the relaxed pace of operations and moderate temperatures. However, in situations where activity is at full speed, such as working outdoors in more strenuous jobs like herding cattle through fields, fence repairing in warm weather, or operating equipment, breathability becomes a factor.
Stormline’s Stormtex-Air range is non-breathable PVC and combines full water- and chemical-resistance with adequate breathability while being active in outdoor tasks. The common practice among dairy farmers is to keep one set of non-breathable clothing for parlors and another set of breathable garments for outdoor tasks.
| Task | Recommended Waterproof Type | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Milking parlour | PVC bib and brace overall | Full coverage, chemical resistant, easy to hose down |
| Collecting yard / slurry work | PVC jacket + bib or overtrousers | Slurry resistance, full waterproofing |
| Moving cattle outdoors | Midweight jacket (breathable PVC) | Active movement, variable weather |
| Calving assistance | PVC bib and brace | Hygiene, full-body coverage, easy clean |
| Field and fence work | Midweight or lightweight jacket | Mobility, breathability for sustained effort |
How should a dairy farmer size waterproof clothing?
The waterproofs used on the dairy must be able to allow movement in order to milk, attaching the clusters and working around the udders. Tightly fitted waterproofs might entrap you while getting tiring if worn for two milkings in a day. It is recommended that the waterproofs be one size larger than your regular size, particularly when considering the shoulders and upper part of the arm.
Stormline produces bib overalls in sizes S to 4XL, allowing ample space in the shoulder area and chest. When in-between two sizes, it is best to choose the larger one.
How do I care for dairy waterproofs to make them last?
Taking good care of the bibs after each milking is important in ensuring longevity. Spray off the bibs with water after each milking in order to remove traces of milk, teat dip, and the cleaning products. Allow drying before hanging them for use in the next milking session. This will ensure that you do not wear out wet PVC, which is not only susceptible to damage but can be quite smelly too.
Do not subject the bibs to a high-pressure power wash, as this might drive water into the seams and cause the separation between the plastic and the underlying fabric. Normal spraying from a regular hose pipe should suffice. Keep your parlour bibs stored in a shaded place.
Useful practice: Keep a separate bib hung at the parlour entrance for visitors, vets or relief milkers. A spare garment of this type avoids cross-contamination risk and means your primary bib is always clean and available.
How often should dairy farmers replace their waterproofs?
A quality PVC dairy bib and brace will serve for up to four to seven years of regular use. Indicators that the product should be replaced soon are the following: cracks or peeling of the PVC material, continuous leakage from the joints despite having tried to repair this problem by using sealants, torn places in the area of knees or the front panel of the bibs, and an inability to dry after rinsing under running water.
If you have two sessions per day, investing in a second pair of bibs might turn out to be a very good decision; you will allow both items to dry completely, thus prolonging their lifetime.
Frequently Asked Questions — Dairy Farmer Waterproofs
What waterproof clothing do dairy farmers need in the UK?
A PVC bib and brace overall for the milking parlour and a waterproof jacket for outdoor and yard work. PVC materials are essential — they resist milk, dairy chemicals and slurry, and can be hosed down after every milking without degrading.
Why do dairy farmers need different waterproofs to other farmers?
Daily exposure to water jets, cleaning chemicals, teat dip and slurry rapidly degrades standard outdoor waterproofs. Purpose-built PVC agricultural gear handles these substances and the twice-daily wetting and drying cycle that comes with dairy work.
What is the best waterproof for milking parlour work?
A PVC bib and brace overall — it gives full chest-to-ankle coverage, no waist gap, is fully waterproof and chemical resistant, and is quick to hose down between milkings.
Do dairy farmers need breathable waterproofs?
Not for the parlour itself. For active outdoor tasks, a breathable PVC option like Stormtex-Air is more comfortable. Many dairy farmers use a standard PVC bib in the parlour and a breathable jacket for outdoor duties.
How should I size dairy waterproofs?
Stormline’s sizing allows for layering underneth. It will also allow freedom of movement for reaching under cows and handling milking equipment.
How often should dairy waterproofs be replaced?
A quality PVC bib and brace should last four to seven years with daily use and proper care. Replace when you notice cracking, persistent seam leaks, or the surface no longer repelling liquid effectively.