A proactive approach to udder excellence

Mastitis can cause devastating economic losses for a dairy farmer. Yet a long-term vaccination programme can be an effective weapon in the fight to control it, writes Robyn Joubert. She spoke to Prof Inge-Marié Petzer, an udder health specialist at Onderstepoort.

- Robyn Joubert

FAST FACTS

Mastitis can be caused by the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, which is very difficult to eliminate from a herd.

Subclinical mastitis is responsible for more than 80% of mastitis losses, says Prof IngeMarié Petzer.

Good management is vital in the prevention and control of mastitis.

Staphylococcus aureus (staph) is one of the most difficult mastitis-causing bacteria to eliminate from a dairy herd. Not only is it one of the most damaging and costly diseases of dairy cows, but it’s also very contagious. For every clinical case of mastitis that’s visible to the naked eye, there can be 20 more cases of subclinical mastitis that can only be identified in a laboratory.

“Subclinical mastitis is responsible for more than 80% of mastitis losses. This is why most farmers vastly underestimate economic losses due to mastitis,” says Onderstepoort udder health expert Prof Inge-Marié Petzer.

A cow with intramammary infection with staph can infect up to seven other cows that are milked with the same unit if the unit is not disinfected in-between the cows. It can be devastating to a farmer, with reported losses of 45% per quarter and 15% per infected cow.

However, staph can be controlled and eradicated from a herd through effective farm management, says Inge-Marié. “Farmers need to take a proactive approach if they want to overcome staph outbreaks. This includes the early detection of bacteria, achieving optimal parlour management and hygiene, and critically analysing every point within the dairy process,” Ingé-Marie advises.