Best Management Practices to Reduce Mastitis and Improve Milk Quality


Introduction

Production of maximum quantities of high-quality milk is an important goal of every dairy operation. Poor milk quality affects all segments of the dairy industry, ultimately resulting in milk with decreased manufacturing properties and dairy products with reduced shelf life. Mastitis can be a significant contributor to reduced milk quality. This disease is an inflammation of the udder that affects a high proportion of dairy cows throughout the world. Mastitis differs from most other animal diseases in that several …

Mastitis Detection, Prevention, and Control in Dairy Replacement Heifers

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Introduction

How Milk Quality is Assessed

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Introduction

Production of maximum quantities of high quality milk is an important goal of every dairy operation. On the other hand, poor milk quality affects all segments of the dairy industry, ultimately resulting in milk with decreased manufacturing properties and dairy products with reduced shelf-life. How is milk quality determined? Several …

Importance of Dry Cow Management in the Control of Mastitis

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Introduction

The udder of the dairy cow requires a nonlactating, …

Questions and Answers About Pre-Dipping

View this article in Spanish:Preguntas y respuestas sobre el uso del pre-sellado

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A Practical Look at Contagious Mastitis

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View this article in Spanish: Una Mirada Práctica a la Mastitis Contagiosa.

Contagious mastitis in dairy cattle can be notoriously difficult to manage, and while some pathogens can be eliminated on-farm, others can only be controlled. This article discusses:
  • The three main contagious mastitis pathogens
    • Streptococcus agalactiae
    • Staphylococcus aureus
    • Mycoplasma species
  • Unique problems associated with each of these species
  • Methods to manage key factors of infection (such as injury, nutrition, and the milking system)
  • Recommended control procedures

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Dairy Cattle Mastitis and Milking Management


Introduction

Mastitis in dairy cattle can result in potential losses in milk production, milk income, and milk quality bonuses. Understanding the many aspects of dairy cattle mastitis can lead to more effective prevention and treatment strategies. Articles in this section can help producers as well as industry-allied partners further their knowledge about mastitis issues in dairy cattle.

Some of these publications are also available in Spanish for Spanish-speaking workers and managers. If there is a Spanish version, there will be …

Mycoplasma Mastitis

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Introduction

Mycoplasma mastitis is a threat to herd health.1,2 Mycoplasmas are highly contagious organisms that can infect the mammary gland and result in a severe …

A Practical Look at Environmental Mastitis

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View this article in Spanish: Una Mirada Práctica a La Mastitis Ambiental.

Environmental organisms such as streptococcal and coliform bacteria can cause mastitis in dairy cows. This article will discuss various aspects of these two primary environmental mastitis pathogens including detection of environmental mastitis, monitoring a herd, and duration and prevalence of infections. A major factor in managing these types of infections is controlling the environment in which the herd is housed; major sources of environmental pathogens include mud,

Dry Cow Therapy

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2006

Dry cow therapy is an effective tool in combating mastitis in dairy cattle. Some of the information found here includes:
  • Reasons for using dry cow therapy
  • Why dry cow treatment is effective in curing as well as preventing mastitis
  • Recommended treatment methods and types of products that are commonly used
  • Aseptic teat infusion procedures
  • Management considerations for dry cows

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