The importance of dairy herd health provision and data management, with a focus on mastitis control

Abstract

Current concerns about global food security and the sustainability of agriculture have increased the importance of efficient dairy production, and in this context the importance of herd health management is highlighted. Veterinary surgeons should play a central role, and data collection and interpretation are central to the successful implementation of dairy herd health. In this article we use the example of mastitis monitoring to illustrate some principles of herd health management, including describing parameters useful for decision-making and discussing the use of predictive tools.