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HEALTHCARE
Environmental mastitis
In 2011, Brian invested in a bigger cow
shed, fitted out with cubicles which were
also larger than before, as Friesians are
bigger animals these days. The new
cubicles are lined with a continuous rubber
mat onto which sawdust and lime are put
twice a day. This new accommodation is
reserved for the high yielders and heifers,
whilst the low yielders are kept on
straw yards.
It was also hoped that the extra space
in the shed and the better cubicle
bedding would help reduce the incidence
of mastitis, especially during the
winter months.
John says: ‘Cell counts are relatively
low - not rising above 150,000 cells/ml.
However clinical cases of mastitis are
higher than we would like to see. In the
last year, the rate averaged 60 clinical
cases per 100 cows.
‘Having a reasonable cell count but a
higher mastitis incidence when cows were
housed, indicated environmental mastitis
pathogens were the likely cause. Milk
testing of clinical cases confirmed
Strep. uberis as the main culprit.’
Brian has stepped up his mastitis control
by introducing the use of a teat sealant
at drying off in addition to using a
long-acting intra-mammary antibiotic.
However, having extra cows in the herd
has put pressure on stocking levels, and
this in turn has put pressure on hygiene.
John comments: ‘Once stock numbers have
come down, and with the new cubicles
and new teat sealant, then I expect the
clinical cases to fall.’
Future plans
Farm facts
Thanks to the hardy nature of the Friesian
breed, the now well-established disease
prevention measures, and the good
stockmanship, there are rarely any health
crises for John to sort out! However, Brian
and John do want to put some more focus
into reducing mastitis incidence.
John explains: ‘Brian and his team are
already very thorough with the milking
routine - using both a pre-milking foam
and also post-dipping. This year we are
going to look into installing a cluster
disinfection system, perhaps with the help
of an RDPE grant. The goal is to reduce
mastitis cases to no more than 40 clinical
cases per 100 cows per year.’
l
Milking cows 134 (41 heifers)
l
Calving index 408 days
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Milk production 8,465kg/cow
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Butterfat 3.96%
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Protein 3.30%
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PLI £45
(NMR Production figures for
year ending September 2013)
Larger cubicles for today’s larger friesians
Cows in new shed
WORKING
TOGETHER
FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE...
9
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
The Collycroft herd of British Friesians