Influence of Mastitis on Milk Yield in Holstein Cows

O Kocak

doi:10.2754/avb200675040507

Abstract

The objectives of the current study were to investigate the incidence of mastitis in a private dairy herd and the effect of the disease on the lactation milk yield (LMY), and on the daily average of the weekly milk yield (DMY). Only cows with no disease and cows with mastitis were included in the analyses. Mixed model procedures were used to analyse the DMY. Incidence of mastitis in the herd was 26.22%. The incidences of first, second and third parity groups were 19.94%, 33.74% and 40.74%, respectively. Daily milk losses because of mastitis varied between 0.76 kg/d and 4.56 kg/d. The total milk loss was 600.87 kg for cows that became mastitic in the first six weeks of lactation and was 503.86 kg for cows that became mastitic after the sixth week of lactation. The milk losses of cows that contracted mastitis after the sixth week of lactation, began three weeks before the diagnosis. The mastitic cows failed to reach their healthy levels of milk yield during the rest of the lactation. The results indicate that weekly lactation records are useful in early detection of mastitis.

Highlights

The objectives of the current study were to investigate the incidence of mastitis in a private dairy herd and the effect of the disease on the lactation milk yield (LMY), and on the daily average of the weekly milk yield (DMY)
The total milk loss was 600.87 kg for cows that became mastitic in the first six weeks of lactation and was 503.86 kg for cows that became mastitic after the sixth week of lactation
The results indicate that weekly lactation records are useful in early detection of mastitis

Summary

Introduction

The objectives of the current study were to investigate the incidence of mastitis in a private dairy herd and the effect of the disease on the lactation milk yield (LMY), and on the daily average of the weekly milk yield (DMY). Several studies have found that clinical mastitis has a detrimental effect on milk yield (Bareille et al 2003; Bartlett et al 1991; Firat 1993; Gröhn et al 2004; Houben et al 1993; Rajala et al 1999; Shim et al 2004). Cows with mastitis are often higher yielding cows, and they continue to yield more milk, even having contracted the disease, than do their healthy and generally lower-yielding herd mates (Gröhn et al 1995). Daily and weekly milk yields should be taken into consideration when the effects of diseases on the milk yield are being investigated

Objectives

Methods

Results