For
more information
Contact us |
|
Milk quality issues: what
does it take to get somatic cell count down to 100,000 and keep
it ther? |
CONTROL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MASTITIS |
The approaches to the control of environmental
mastitis must involve prevention by either decreased exposure
to pathogens or enhanced resistance of the dairy cow. Unfortunately,
many procedures that effectively control contagious mastitis have
limited or no efficacy against environmental pathogens (Crist
and Harmon, 1991).
Teat dipping and dry cow therapy
Basic mastitis control programs should include postmilking teat
dipping and dry cow therapy with antibiotics. In general, teat
dipping with germicidal dips has no efficacy against coliforms
and limited efficacy against environmental streptococci. Of the
environmental streptococci S. dysgalactiae seems to be controlled
more readily by milking time hygiene. The limited efficacy of
post-milking teat dipping against environmental pathogens likely
is related to the exposure between milkings and after dip has
been applied. Dry cow therapy reduces new streptococcal IMI early
in the dry period but has limited value against coliforms.
Barrier teat dips
Although post-milking barrier teat dips have been reported to
reduce new coliform infections, their efficacy against streptococcal
infections is less than that of germicidal dips. Teat dipping
with traditional germicidal or barrier teat dips (designed for
lactating cows) in the dry period has not been successful in preventing
environmental mastitis. However, new formulations that provide
a more long-lasting physical barrier, designed for the dry cow,
show some promise.
Milking procedures
General hygiene in the milking process should always be followed.
Milking wet teats may increase new environmental pathogen infections.
Anything that causes liner slippage may increase new infections.
Teats should be clean and dry before machine attachment and equipment
must be in good working order.
Predipping
Predipping, i.e. use of germicidal teat dip before milking, has
been shown to reduce environmental mastitis by 50% (Pankey et
al., 1987). However, complete drying of teats after application
is critical to prevent residues in milk. The success of this procedure
may vary greatly from herd to herd.
Environment
There is no single method or product to reduce exposure in the
environment. The key principles are clean and dry environment
and require good management. This applies to lactating cows, heifers
and cows during the dry period. Daily removal of manure from concrete
areas is recommended. The daily removal of soiled sawdust bedding
from the rear meter of free stalls and replacement with fresh
sawdust resulted in reduction of coliform numbers from 100 million
per g to approximately 1million per g (Dodd et al., 1984). This
resulted in an apparent 90% reduction in clinical coliform cases.
Housing cows on sand resulted in a 4-fold lower incidence of clinical
coliform mastitis compared with sawdust. Prevention of cows from
congregating in certain areas of pastures may reduce pathogen
load. The use of portable shades that can be moved frequently
may reduce manure buildup and pathogen exposure in hot weather.
Ponds and shade trees should be fenced off to limit access to
mud and contaminated water. Access to grassy lots and the rotation
of animals between several pastures may help to maintain the sod
and keep animals cleaner. |
|
LOOKING FOR DISTRIBUTORS IN OTHER COUNTRIES
If you are a entrepeneur
person, with good knowledge of dairy, or a acompany
looking for new products for the market, this is what
you need. We would like you to be our distributor
medition@pulsografo.net |
|
|
