Preventing mastitis as cows hit peak milk production
Keeping mastitis out of the herd is crucial at this stage, as a lot of cows will be nearing peak milk production. Peak milk production typically occurs in or around 50-60 days post calving, which will be now for herds that begin calving down February 1. Therefore, a mastitis outbreak now would hit milk cheques […] The post Preventing mastitis as cows hit peak milk production appeared first on Agriland.ie .
As cows approach peak milk production, preventing mastitis becomes a critical priority for dairy farmers. Peak milk production typically occurs around 50-60 days post-calving, a period that is now upon herds that began calving in February. At this stage, a mastitis outbreak could significantly impact milk income, especially if key cows are lost. Additionally, as spring calving winds down, it can be easy for somatic cell counts (SCC) to spike, even for farms that have established robust preventive measures during the first six weeks of calving.
Many dairy farmers have well-established routines during the hectic early weeks of calving, such as managing freshly calved groups, conducting stripping and California mastitis-testing (CMT), and maintaining high hygiene standards. However, as the intensity of these tasks decreases, some farms may relax their protocols, inadvertently allowing SCC levels to rise.
To prevent mastitis at this critical stage, it is essential to continue providing the same level of care and attention to late-calving cows as to those that calved earlier. Operating a fresh calving group can be beneficial, allowing for close monitoring and special treatment if needed, alongside regular stripping and CMTs. Maintaining strict hygiene in the parlour and cubicles for cows still housed is also crucial to protect the rest of the herd from infection.
Analyzing the milking routine can further help in keeping SCC at a minimum. If not already done, conducting a milk recording can provide valuable insights into the dry period's performance and identify problem cows, which can then be marked for culling or conversion to beef. This milk recording also aids in making informed breeding decisions, as it allows farmers to select the best-performing cows for dairy artificial insemination (AI).
For farms that have not yet conducted milk recordings, closely monitoring bulk tank SCC levels is essential. By staying vigilant and maintaining consistent preventive measures, dairy farmers can ensure their herds remain healthy and productive during peak milk production, ultimately safeguarding their income and the future of their operations.
