Open day highlights key mastitis management issues

Picture: Micheal Head

Tackling somatic cell count and mastitis problems effectively requires access to good management information and a close dialogue between farmer, vet, nutritionist and milking machine technologist.

That was the message given to milk producers attending a farm walk organised by The Kingshay Farming Trust at their West Bradley headquarters in Somerset (Tuesday, September 9th 2003).

Speaking to farmers keen to learn more about cell count management, vet Michael Head from the Delaware Veterinary Group at Castle Cary stressed the importance of knowing your mastitis rate, planning, teamwork and attention to detail.

"Cell counts count when it comes to mastitis disease management and herd profitability. Somatic cell count is essentially an indicator of udder health and any increase should be seen as an early warning of possible problems. It's also important to know your mastitis rate," he said.

"We are now getting more enquiries on milk quality issues, which highlights the importance our dairy farmer clients now attach to controlling herd cell counts. Requests for outside help also indicates a growing awareness of the need to have a planned approach to tackling the problem.

"Mastitis problems are rarely triggered by a single weakness in the system so it is important to look at every aspect of management from the efficiency of the milking plant to the way the cows are housed and fed," Michael Head pointed out.

To give attending farmers practical pointers on how to improve their own mastitis management, Michael Head outlined the cell count management plan that comes as part of the new Cepravin Dry Cow support package. The plan is a practical checklist based on eight key action points.

* Identify the high cell count cows

* Discard milk from high cell count cows

* Improve parlour hygiene

* Identify and treat the mastitis problem

* Consider culling your problem cows

* Practise dry cow therapy

* Improve housing hygiene and cow nutrition

* Test your parlour regularly

Copies of the detailed cell count management plan are available from veterinary practices and Schering-Plough Animal Health on 01895 626000