High Incidence Of Mastitis Research Articles

CALIFORNIA MASTITIS TEST AND IDENTIFICATION OF ANTIBIOTIC-RESISTANT BACTERIA ON DAIRY CATTLE IN “KUD” SEMEN GANDUSARI SUBDISTRICT, BLITAR

Mastitis is an inflammation of the udder that often affects dairy cows in the production phase. The impact of mastitis losses is quite large, including a drastic decrease in milk quantity and quality. Mastitis can be caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in dairy cows, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus spp or Streptococcus spp. The results of a recent study stated that the prevalence of mastitis in Indonesia reached 83%. The Coliform Mastitis Test (CMT), used worldwide for early detection of mastitis, has a specificity of 80.6% and a sensitivity of 82.4%. Semen Village Unit Cooperative (KUD) is a cooperative that is the center of milk production in Blitar District, which accommodates the milk of dairy cows from smallholder farms in Blitar District. The high incidence of mastitis caused by the presence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics encourages counseling on mastitis and identifying bacteria that cause antibiotic resistance. Extension activities are carried out by presenting material about mastitis caused by the presence of bacteria resistant to antibiotics with lecture techniques (PowerPoint slides), videos, questions, and answers, and demonstrating the California Mastitis Test on milk samples as an early detection test, as well as identifying bacteria that cause antibiotic resistance. This series of counseling activities is an effort to reduce the incidence of mastitis through increased knowledge and understanding of the community.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Clinical Mastitis in Holstein Cows under Subtropical Egyptian Conditions

The current study was built on 1015 dairy records of Holstein Friesian cows, aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of clinical mastitis (CM). Logistic regression models were conducted to determine the risk factors associated with the onset of CM. The average age at 1st calving was 1.98 years in mastitic cows, and 2.01 years in healthy onest. DMY was shown to be somewhat lower in mastitic cows than in healthy (31.9 and 32.3 kg, respectively). Older dairy cows >5 years had a higher incidence of mastitis (53.56%). The prevalence of CM was higher in multiparous cows, either 2nd parity (48.24%) or ≥ 3rd parity (47.23%). Regarding the calving season, cows that calved in winter showed a lower percentage of CM (38.36%). Pregnant cows were found to have a greater incidence of CM than non-pregnant cows (59.35% and 32.89%, respectively). Concerning the history of the previous mastitis, cows that were infected previously showed a higher prevalence of CM (51.66%). The greatest percentage of CM was observed in cows in the early and mid stages of lactation (44.59% and 52.69%, respectively). The final multivariate logistic regression model revealed that age at 1st calving had a significant positive correlation with the incidence of CM (β=1.19, P-value= 0.003). Older cows >5 years ( (OR=1.79), cows calved during the summer season (OR=1.84), Pregnant cows (OR=7.27), cows with a history of previous mastitis (OR=1.81), and lactating cows at early lactation stage (1-90 days) were significant risk factors associated with an increased incidence of CM.

Health, performance and soiling of breeding does and their kits kept in two different housing systems on a German rabbit farm

<p>The aim of the present study was to compare a new housing (NC) for rabbit does and their kits that complies with German welfare regulations with established wire mesh cages (CC) on a commercial rabbit farm. Rabbit does were single-housed from five days antepartum until weaning at 31 d postpartum either in large pens (80×80 cm with an open top) with slatted plastic flooring (11 mm slats and 11 mm gaps), nestbox, elevated platform (15% perforated) and different manipulable materials (NC) or in cages (70×50×30 cm) with wire mesh flooring (12×70 mm holes and 3 mm wire diameter), nestbox and one gnawing stick (CC). Skin lesions, weight development, fertility, morbidity, cleanliness and kit performance of 272 rabbit does in a total of six batches were investigated. While there was no difference in performance of their kits, rabbit does showed an impaired performance with less weight gain and less body weight at weaning, lower fertility, more injuries and a higher incidence of mastitis and diarrhoea at the end of the rearing period in NC housing compared to CC housing. Additionally, soiling of hind feet was higher in NC than in CC housing. Overall, the poor hygienic conditions may have affected the animals’ health and make an improvement in the new housing system necessary, especially with regard to the floor design.</p>

Comparison of the effectiveness of selenium and vitamin E supplementation on the health of the mammary gland of sheep

Article Details: Received: 2020-10-14 | Accepted: 2020-11-27 | Available online: 2021-01-31 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2021.24.mi-prap.75-79 In this study we observed the effect of peroral and parenteral supplementation of Selenium (Se) and vitamin E (VTE) on the selected antioxidant parameters in blood and on the incidence of mastitis in ewes after the first lambing. Of the 350 sheep of Improved Walachian and Lacaune breeds, situated in eastern Slovakia under standard zootechnical and animal hygiene conditions, we selected thirty one-year-old ewes before their first lambing. The ewes were divided into three groups according to the method of supplementation of Se and VTE. The blood samples from vena jugularis were collected on day 30 before lambing (control sampling) and on days 3 and 30 after lambing. Ewes were checked for mastitis on days 10 and 30 after lambing. On the day of the control sampling the ewes from the B1 group were perorally supplemented with 0.3 mg Se/kg/DM in the form of Na2SeO3 and 50 IU/vitamin E/kg/DM, while ewes from the B2 group were injected subcutaneously Se with VTE at a dose of 6.6 mg/Se and 1,000 IU/VTE. Changes in the concentration of Se and VTE in the blood plasma of ewes were determined only in the perorally supplemented group (B1) on day 3 after lambing. At 30 days after lambing the the incidence of mastitis in this group was half as lower (10%) as in the control group (20%). Keywords: sheep, mastitis, supplementation, glutathione peroxidase, selenium, bacteria References Cohen, RD a kol. (1991). Účinky parenterálnej suplementácie tehotných hovädzích kráv selénom / vitamínom E na selén kravy a teľaťa a produktivitu. Konzerva. Vet. Jour . 32,113-115. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17423734 Grešáková, L. a kol. (2013). Retencia selénu u jahniat kŕmených krmivom doplneným selénom z anorganických zdrojov. Výskum malých prežúvavcov , 111, 76–82. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.10.009 Fthenakis, GC (1995). Kalifornský test na mastitídu a Whitesideov test na diagnostiku subklinickej mastitídy mliečnych bahníc. Výskum malých prežúvavcov, 16, 271–276. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0921448895006382 Hess, D. et al. (1991). Simultaneous determination of retinol, tocopherols, carotenes and lycopene in plasma by means of high-performance liquid chromatography on reversed phase. International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research , 61, 232–238. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1794952/ Kafilzadeh, F. et al. (2014). Comparing the effect of oral supplementation of vitamin E, injective vitamin E and selenium or both during late pregnancy on production and reproductive performance and immune function of dairy cows and calves. The Scientific World Journal , 5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/165841 Misurova, L. et al. (2009). Selenium metabolism in goats – maternal transfer of selenium to newborn kids. Veterinarni Medicina 54, 125–130. https://www.agriculturejournals.cz/publicFiles/05520.pdf Paglia, D. E, Valentine, W. N. (1967). Studies on the quantitative and qualitative characterization of erytrocyte glutathione peroxidase. The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine , 70, 158–169. http://garfield.library.upenn.edu/classics1989/A1989T143200001.pdf Persson, W. K. et al. (2007). Supplementation of RRR-alpha-tocopheryl acetate to periparturient dairy cows in commercial herds with high mastitis incidence. Journal of Dairy Science , 90, 3640–3646. http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2006-421 Pavlata, L. et al. (2002). Selenium status of cattle in the Czech Republic. Acta Veterinaria Brno , 71, 3–8. https://actavet.vfu.cz/71/1/0003/ Pavlata, l. et al. (2012). Direct and indirect assessment of selenium status in sheep – a comparison. Veterinarni Medicina , 57, 219–223. http://vri.cz/docs/vetmed/57-5-219.pdf Smith, K. L. et al. (1997). Dietary vitamin E and selenium affect mastitis and milk quality. Journal of Animal Science , 75, 1659–1665. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9250530/ Spears, J. W., Weiss, W. P. (2008). Role of antioxidants and trace elements in health and immunity of transition dairy cows. The Veterinary Journal , 176, 70–76. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18325801/ Vasiľ, M. a kol. (2018). Patogény stožiar izolované izolované od vzoriek mlieka v chove oviec nachádzajúcich sa v okrajových častiach Slovenska. V infekčné a parazitárne choroby zvierat, 6. ročník medzinárodnej vedeckej konferencie , 13.-14. Septembra, Košice. s. 244–248. ISBN 978-80-8077-583-4

Опыт проведения ветеринарно- санитарного и зоогигиенического обследования хозяйства, неблагополучного по бактериальным инфекциям крупного рогатого скота

The article presents the results of veterinary-sanitary and zoohygienic examination of the farm that is unfavorable for bacterial infections-pasteurellosis, moraxellosis, escherichiosis, and other pathologies. There is a high incidence of mastitis and endometritis in cows, and gastrointestinal and respiratory diseases in young animals. 32,6 «marker points» of violations of conditions of keeping, feeding and exploitation of animals were identified. Recommendations are given for the elimination of violations, after which the incidence of respiratory diseases in calves decreased by 48,2%, gastrointestinal diseases – by 93,0%, the manifestation of infectious keratoconjunctivitis caused by moracella decreased by 12,0%, and the incidence of chronic endometritis in cows decreased by XNUMX%. The farm was recovered from clinical, subclinical mastitis and postpartum endometritis.

The Impact of Mastitis on Reproductive Parameters of Dairy Cows

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of mastitis and its impact on the reproductive parameters in a herd of 180 dairy cows. Based on the herd records 127 cows of Slovak spotted cattle and their crosses with red Holstein were selected for study between 1—2 months after calving. The examination of the health status of the mammary glands consisted of: the clinical examination of the udder, the California mastitis test (CMT) supplemented by the collection of mixed milk samples, and the laboratory examination of bacterial pathogens causing the mastitis. In addition to the mam­mary investigation, reproduction indicators such as the length of the insemination interval, the service period, the intercalving period and the insemination index were also analyzed. The results of this study indicated: a high incidence of mastitis (41.6 %), especially latent (21.2 %), subclinical (15.7 %) and clinical (4.7 %) forms were most common in the herd. The most frequently isolated bacteria from the infected milk samples were: coagulase negative staphylococci (54.1 %), S. aureus (16.9 %), Streptococcus spp. (15.0 %), A. viridans (7.5 %) and Ent. faecalis (6.4 %). According to the available literature, the optimum values of the intercalving period were 365—400 days, the insemination interval 55—80 days, the insemination index 1.2—2 and the service period 60—110 days. In comparison, our results showed increased, unsatisfactory reproductive values in the group of dairy cows with clinical mastitis. While in healthy cows as well as in groups of cows with latent and subclinical mastitis, all of the reproductive indicators were within the optimal levels.

Performance of Holstein and Swedish-Red × Jersey/Holstein crossbred dairy cows within low- and medium-concentrate grassland-based systems

This 2 × 2 factorial design experiment was conducted to compare the performance of spring-calving Holstein dairy cows (HOL, n = 34) with Swedish Red × Jersey/Holstein crossbred (SR × J/HOL, n = 34) dairy cows within low and medium concentrate input grassland-based dairy systems. The experiment commenced when cows calved and encompassed 1 full lactation. Cows were offered diets containing grass silage and concentrates [70:30 dry matter (DM) ratio, and 40:60 DM ratio, for low and medium, respectively] until turnout, grazed grass plus either 1.0 or 4.0 kg of concentrate/d during the grazing period (low and medium, respectively), and grass silage and concentrates (85:15 DM ratio, and 70:30 DM ratio, for low and medium, respectively) from rehousing and until drying off. No significant genotype × system interactions were present for any of the feed intake or full-lactation milk production data examined. Full-lactation concentrate DM intakes were 769 and 1,902 kg/cow for the low and medium systems, respectively, whereas HOL cows had a higher total DM intake than SR × J/HOL cows in early lactation, but not in late lactation. Although HOL cows had a higher lactation milk yield than SR × J/HOL cows, the latter produced milk with a higher fat and protein content, and thus fat plus protein yield was unaffected by genotype. Milk produced by the SR × J/HOL cows had a higher degree of saturation of fatty acids than milk produced by the HOL cows, and the somatic cell score of milk produced by the former was also higher. Throughout the lactation, HOL cows were on average 30 kg heavier than SR × J/HOL cows, whereas the SR × J/HOL cows had a higher body condition score than the HOL cows. Holstein cows had a higher incidence of mastitis and ovarian dysfunction that SR × J/HOL cows.

Dynamics of mammary infections in organic dairy farms in Northern Spain

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the microbiological state and the dynamics of the mammary infections of organic farms in North Spain to discover if the high somatic cell count (SCC) observed in these farms is associated to a high incidence of mastitis. Microbiological cultures and SCC were performed in 8,496 foremilk samples collected from 160 cows in five representative organic farms from February 2006 to January 2008. Even though 79.3% of cultures were positive, only 21.2% of the total fit our diagnosis of mastitis (clinical, subclinical and chronic). The great prevalence of Corynebacterium bovis (teat canal-region pathogen) in the positive cultures that did not fit the mastitis diagnosis criteria (nearly 70%) compared with those that did (27%) was found to be related to lack of post-milking teat disinfection. The study prevalence of mastitis was 69.2% (66.7% subclinical mastitis, 27.8% clinical mastitis); the mean monthly prevalence was 47.4%; the mean monthly incidence was 12.9% and the mean duration of infection was 3.84 ± 3.98 months The high SCC in foremilk samples from old cows (three or more lactations) not diagnosed as mastitis compared to the heifers, reflects a worsening health status of the animals over time. When compared with the conventional sector in Northern Spain, these parameters indicate a poorer udder health in the studied organic herds with a high presence of chronic subclinical processes.

Reproductive stage associated changes in plasma fatty acid profile and proinflammatory cytokine expression in rat mammary glands.

Mastitis is a common disease for mammals all around the world. Figuring out why mastitis mainly occurs around parturition may be helpful for dealing with the disease. Lipolytic activity and oxidative stress take place around parturition, which may leads to alteration in fatty acids profile and proinflammatory cytokine expression. Thus, the aim of the present study was to further our understanding about the high incidence of mastitis around parturition by comparison of plasma fatty acid profile and mammary inflammation indicators at different reproductive stages. A total of 47 female rats were included in the present study. After mating, all the pregnant and non-pregnant rats began to receive the same experimental diet. Blood samples were collected at day 1 and 14 of gestation as well as day 3 postpartum. Mammary samples were collected at day 14 of gestation and day 3 postpartum from pregnant and non-pregnant rats. The results showed that rats at d 3 postpartum had greater (P < 0.05) plasma concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), arachidonic acid (ARA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) as well as ARA: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) ratio than those at d 14 of gestation. The mRNA abundances of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), IL-8 and xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) in mammary of the pregnant rats were greater (P < 0.05) than those in age-matched non-pregnant rats. Rats at d 3 postpartum had higher (P < 0.05) protein expression levels of IL-1β and TNF-α as well as meloperoxidase (MPO) activity and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) prevalence than those at d 1 of gestation. The rats at d 3 postpartum also had greater (P < 0.05) IL-1β and MPO activity than those at d 14 of gestation. The results indicated that elevated mammary expression of proinflammatory cytokines and XOR as well as altered fatty acid profile around parturition might facilitate the recruitment of neutrophils into mammary glands.

Low expression of the antibacterial factor L‐amino acid oxidase in bovine mammary gland

In the mouse, L-amino acid oxidase (LAO) produces hydrogen peroxide by utilizing free amino acids and is a proven antibacterial factor in mammary glands. Mastitis, a bacterial infection of the mammary gland, is the most frequent disease in dairy cattle. Here, we investigate whether LAO is expressed in the mammary gland of dairy cattle and is antibacterial. In dairy cattle, the expression level of LAO mRNA in the mammary gland was considerably lower than that in mice, and LAO activity was not observed in cattle milk that produced hydrogen peroxide. The expression of LAO mRNA was also low in Japanese Black cattle, the same as in Holstein cattle. A higher LAO mRNA expression was observed in the mastitis glands than in the lactating glands. Furthermore, spleen and lymph nodes expressed high levels of LAO mRNA in dairy cattle. We conclude that mammary glands in dairy cattle have lower ability to express the LAO gene compared to that in mice, which may result in a high incidence of mastitis.

Resource use efficiency and farm productivity gaps of smallholder dairy farming in North-west Michoacán, Mexico

Smallholder dairy farms that intensify production risk resource degradation and increased dependence on external feeds and fertilizers due to lack of knowledge and appropriate technology, which undermines farm productivity and profitability. Here we analyze underlying causes at farm level of such process through an integrated analysis at the farm scale by assessing current resource use efficiency for grazing-based dairy farming systems representative of NW Michoacán, Mexico. Whole-farm yield gaps were quantified by comparing current farms to virtual reference farms that have the same farm surface area but improved farm management. Productivity of reference farms was calculated by assuming best crop production practices (as observed within the set of case study farms) and improved herd management. Three family-based (FB) and three semi-specialized (SS) dairy systems spanning three levels of intensification in terms of density of livestock units (LU): extensive (E, <0.8LUha−1), medium-intensive (M, between 0.8 and 1.2LUha−1), and intensive (I, >1.2LUha−1) were monitored during one year (rainy and dry seasons) to assess productivity and resource use efficiencies. Milk production was generally low and variable (2.2–4.3Mgmilkcow−1lactation−1, and 0.6–5.8Mgha−1) due to high incidence of mastitis, a large fraction of non-productive animals in the herd and inefficient reproduction management. During the dry season, grazing areas provided insufficient metabolizable energy, and milk production was sustained through increased use of concentrates (from 310gkg−1DMI in rainy season to 454gkg−1DMI−1 in dry season of the herd) and conserved forage. All farms had positive nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium balances, averaging 75±16, 15±6, and 19±6kgha−1, respectively. Nutrients in animal excreta were mostly not recycled on the farms but lost to the environment, and nutrient surpluses increased with livestock density. The reference farms exhibited an attainable milk yield of 2.7Mgha−1 on the basis of full feed self-supply, and 4.2Mgha−1 when the crude protein limitation in the ration was lifted. Compared to the reference farm actual milk yields were on average 78.4% lower on FB farms and 57.9% lower on SS farms. The underlying causes of the farm yield gap differed between farms and were due to sub-optimal areas of forage maize, low forage and forage maize productivity and deficient herd management. We conclude that the farm yield gap analysis was effective in identifying the major shortcomings in management of the dairy farming systems and enabled formulation of change avenues for farm reconfiguration focusing on combined improvements in crop, feed and herd management and recycling of nutrients through manure management.

Quality of raw milk type C and refrigerated in traditional dairy systems of southwest Goiás, Brazil

The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of raw milk refrigerated and raw type C of dairy systems low-tech of Southwest Goias, Brazil, and ensure that the milk produced meets the requirements of normative instruction 62/2011. It was collected 49 samples of raw milk refrigerated and raw milk type C under aseptic conditions, using flask of 40 ml containing preservative azidiol ® for analysis of TBC and Bronopol ® for determination of SCC and chemical composition. The analyzes were performed at the Laboratory of Quality Milk Research Center of Food School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the Federal University of Goias to compare means between treatments we used the Tukey test at 5% probability. The results of fat and SCC showed a higher incidence of mastitis in milk refrigerated is directly related to the increase in the fat content of the milk. The total bacterial count of milk type C and refrigerated were higher than the limit established by Brazilian legislation of milk quality, and indicated the need for greater attention to hygiene during the collection and storage of milk.

Mastitis investigation using the DairyCo mastitis plan on a Yorkshire dairy farm

The article describes the use of the DairyCo Mastitis plan in the investigation of high mastitis incidence in a dairy herd. The DairyCo mastitis plan uses software to analyse the herd's mastitis and cell count data in order to enable the mastitis problem to be categorised as predominantly dry period origin or lactation period origin and either environmental or contagious origin. A thorough farm visit and completion of a questionnaire will then allow areas for improvement to be selected which will be most likely to have the greatest benefit in reducing mastitis incidence in the herd in question.

Vitamin E supplementation during the dry period in dairy cattle. Part I: Adverse effect on incidence of mastitis postpartum in a double-blind randomized field trial

A randomized, controlled field trial with dairy cows demonstrated an adverse effect of vitamin E supplementation during the dry period on mastitis incidence in early lactation. This study was conducted on farms with historically high rates of mastitis to investigate the benefit of vitamin E supplementation on udder health; however, the outcome showed an adverse effect. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether daily supplementation of 3,000IU of vitamin E to dairy cows during the dry period could improve udder health in commercial herds with a high incidence of mastitis. On 5 dairy farms, dry cows were randomly divided into 2 experimental groups: a high and a low group. Both groups received a dry cow mineral mix providing 3,000 or 135IU of vitamin E/cow per day, respectively, between dry-off and calving for a mean period of 8 wk. Providing 3,000IU of vitamin E exceeds NRC standards, but this amount has been used in previous studies. The experiment, as well as the majority of the statistical analysis, were carried out blinded. Blood was sampled 3 times before calving and on calving day. Serum was analyzed for vitamin E and cholesterol. Vitamin E and the vitamin E:cholesterol ratio were analyzed as dependent variables in mixed models and Student's t-tests to study trends in time and differences between groups. Relative risk calculation and survival analysis were used to study the effect of supplementation on mastitis incidence in the first 3 mo of lactation. The results showed that vitamin E supplements increased both absolute vitamin E and the ratio of vitamin E to cholesterol in blood. In the high group, significantly more subclinical and clinical cases occurred, showing the same trend on all farms. In this study, an initial vitamin E level at dry off above 14.5μmol/L was a risk factor for clinical mastitis, suggesting that the vitamin E status at the start of the dry period is important. It is recommended to work out exactly at what threshold vitamin E is harmful for udder health before new trials with high dosages of vitamin E are started. Additionally, further research is required to investigate the mechanism by which vitamin E affects udder health.

Decrease in bovine CD14 positive cells in colostrum is associated with the incidence of mastitis after calving

During the postpartum period there is a high incidence of mastitis in dairy cows. The reason for this increased risk of mastitis still remains unclear. Since leukocytes in colostrum have an important role in preventing the onset of mastitis, we investigated the leukocyte populations, which express CD4, CD8, CD14, CD21 or WC1, in colostrum as well as in blood obtained from 14 Holstein cows. Eight cows developed mastitis within a week after calving and the other 6 remained healthy. The percentage of CD14+ cells in colostrum was significantly lower in mastitic cows than in healthy cows. There were no significant differences in other marker positive cells either in the colostrum or in the blood. The CD14+ cells in colostrum play an important role of defense against invading microorganisms in the mammary glands. Our results suggested that the lower percentage of CD14+ cells in colostrum might predict the incidence of mastitis in the following period.

Economic consequences of mastitis and withdrawal of milk with high somatic cell count in Swedish dairy herds

The main aim was to assess the impact of mastitis on technical and economic results of a dairy herd under current Swedish farming conditions. The second aim was to investigate the effects obtained by withdrawing milk with high somatic cell count (SCC). A dynamic and stochastic simulation model, SimHerd, was used to study the effects of mastitis in a herd with 150 cows. Results given the initial incidence of mastitis (32 and 33 clinical and subclinical cases per 100 cow-years, respectively) were studied, together with the consequences of reducing or increasing the incidence of mastitis by 50%, modelling no clinical mastitis (CM) while keeping the incidence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) constant and vice versa. Six different strategies to withdraw milk with high SCC were compared. The decision to withdraw milk was based on herd-level information in three scenarios: withdrawal was initiated when the predicted bulk tank SCC exceeded 220 000, 200 000 or 180 000 cells/ml, and on cow-level information in three scenarios: withdrawal was initiated when the predicted SCC in an individual cow’s milk exceeded 1 000 000, 750 000 or 500 000 cells/ml. The accuracy with which SCC was measured and predicted was assumed to affect the profitability of withdrawing milk with high SCC and this was investigated by applying high, low or no uncertainty to true SCC. The yearly avoidable cost of mastitis was estimated at €8235, assuming that the initial incidence of mastitis could be reduced by 50%. This cost corresponded to 5% of the herd net return given the initial incidence of mastitis. Expressed per cow-year, the avoidable cost of mastitis was €55. The costs per case of CM and SCM were estimated at €278 and €60, respectively. Withdrawing milk with high SCC was never profitable because this generated a substantial amount of milk withdrawal that was not offset by a sufficient increase in the average price per delivered kg milk. It had the most negative impact on net return when high incidence of mastitis was simulated. Withdrawing milk with high SCC based on low-uncertainty information reduced the amount of withdrawn milk and thus resulted in less negative effect on net return. It was concluded that the current milk-pricing system makes it more profitable for farmers to sell a larger amount of milk with higher SCC than to withdraw milk with high SCC to obtain payment premiums, at least in herds with mastitis incidences within the simulated ranges.

Supplementation of RRR-α-Tocopheryl Acetate to Periparturient Dairy Cows in Commercial Herds with High Mastitis Incidence

Dietary vitamin E supplementation of dairy cows around calving has been associated with improved udder health. However, few studies have been performed in Europe and in commercial dairy herds. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to evaluate whether extra daily dietary supplementation of 1,610mg of α-tocopherol, in the form of RRR-α-tocopheryl acetate, to dairy cows around calving could improve the udder health in commercial herds with a high incidence of veterinary-treated clinical mastitis. In addition, the effects of supplementation on other cow diseases, fertility, milk production, culling, and stillbirth were also studied. Cows in 21 herds in southeast Sweden were assigned to 1 of 2 groups, 1) daily supplementation with 1,610mg of RRR-α-tocopherol from 4 wk before to 2 wk after calving (n=196), or 2) no extra supplementation (n=203), on top of the normal diet containing average vitamin E supplementation (on average, 386, 664, and 957mg/d to cows at 1 mo prior to calving, at calving, and at 15 d after calving, respectively). Multivariable generalized linear mixed models were used for statistical analyses of the effects of supplementation on the cumulative incidence risk of veterinary-treated clinical mastitis and of veterinary-treated diseases other than mastitis within 1 and 2 mo after calving, culling (due to udder health or other reasons) within 2 and 9 mo after calving, the risk of stillbirth or calf death within 24h after calving, time from calving to first insemination, number of inseminations per service period, and cow composite natural logarithm of somatic cell count and daily milk production at the first monthly testing after calving. A significant effect of supplementation was observed only for stillbirth or calf death within 24h after birth, which was significantly lower in the supplemented group. The reasons for this finding require further study.

Herd health planning: farmers' perceptions in relation to lameness and mastitis

Between December 2002 and December 2003, the herd health planning activities on 61 dairy farms in the uk were compared with several measures of lameness and mastitis. Lameness had been...

Udder Health Shows Inbreeding Depression in Danish Holsteins

The purpose of this study was to estimate inbreeding depression for udder health using records on mastitis incidence and somatic cell count (SCC). Data were selected based on a pedigree completeness index so that inbreeding coefficients were reliable. Average inbreeding was 3.3%. The presence or absence of mastitis was considered in first (CM1), second (CM2), and third (CM3) lactations, and was recorded as a binary trait. Somatic cell count was also included and analyzed on the log scale. A minimum of 140,000 cows with records were included per trait. Linear sire models were used and (co)variance components were estimated. Linear and curvilinear effects of the coefficient of inbreeding were included. Inbreeding significantly affected all traits investigated. Three traits, CM1, CM3, and SCC, showed a nonlinear relationship between phenotype and inbreeding coefficient. A cow with 5% inbreeding compared with a cow with 2% inbreeding had a higher SCC and a higher incidence of mastitis. The SCC increased by 1,500 cells/mL in first lactation and the incidence of mastitis increased by 1.08, 0.55, and 0.98% in first, second, and third lactation, respectively. The corresponding reduction in net return from these traits over 3 lactations amounted to US$11.00 under Danish production circumstances. These results are a step on the way to estimating the total cost of inbreeding depression to determine an acceptable rate of inbreeding.

Bacterial counts in bulk milk - an update

THE use of differential culture methods to investigate the possible causes of high total bacterial count (TBC) or Bactoscan values, high somatic cell counts or a high mastitis incidence was...