The Electrical Conductivity of Milk for the Detection of Subclinical Mastitis in Cows: Comparison of Various Methods of Handling Conductivity Data with the Use of Cell Counts and Bacteriological Examination

Abstract

SUMMARY From samples of foremilk taken from all four glands of cows on a single occasion, the efficacy of diagnosis of subclinical mastitis using a new application of conductivity measurements was compared with that using cell counts. For these trials boundaries previously set for conductivity tests were used, and similar boundaries for classification were established for cell counts. As in previous papers the cows were divided into three categories as a result of bacteriological examination. It is concluded that for classifying cows from the analysis of quarter foremilk samples taken on a single occasion, cell counts and conductivity measurements are of comparable effectiveness, although it is pointed out that the rapidity and ease of making conductivity measurements offer distinct advantages.