Udder Hygiene in the Control of Mastitis

Abstract

Bovine mastitis persists as the most expensive disease in dairy cows. Losses can reach more than $180 per cow annually. Decreased milk production, due to subclinical mastitis, accounts for approximately 70% of the economic losses. Discarded milk, cost of antibiotics, premature culling, and veterinary expenses are responsible for the remaining 30% (4). Prevention of the disease is the most economically feasible method of control. The 5 point plan for mastitis control will reduce mastitis losses and increase profits: I) Dry cow therapy, 2) proper treatment procedures for clinical cases, 3) use of recommended milking practices, and 4) effective culling contribute to a complete mastitis control program. The fifth point, udder hygiene, is probably the single most effective control procedure in the prevention of udder infections (2, 4).

Rate of new udder infections is highly correlated to the number of mastitis pathogens on the teat end. Every effort must be made to maintain minimal bacterial load at the teat end. Good udder hygiene practices assure this goal. The hygiene program should be a 24 hour program; not only at milking time.