Management practices associated with udder health of first-parity dairy cows in early lactation.

Full Abstract

This study aimed at investigating associations between management routines including feeding, housing, and milking around calving, and udder health of first-parity cows in early lactation in Swedish large, high producing, low bulk-milk somatic cell count (SCC) dairy herds housed in free stalls. Seventy-two dairy herds participated and data concerning 1189 first-parity cows calving during the study period (October 2005-January 2006) was collected. Multivariable regression analysis were performed with three different outcomes; within-herd number of first-parity cows veterinary treated for clinical mastitis at days -10 to 60 after calving, within-herd number of first-parity cows with a SCC> or =200,000cells/mL at first test-day, and SCC of first-parity cows at first test-day. Cow factors significantly associated with good udder health of first-parity cows (few cases of clinical mastitis and or low SCC) were being of the Swedish Red breed, having a high milk yield at first test-day, and a milk-urea > or =5mmol/L at first test-day. Herd factors significantly associated with good udder health were having mattresses as flooring in the cubicles in the lactating cow housing, and to house the first-parity cows in tie stalls 1 month before calving. Cow factors significantly associated with poor udder health of first-parity cows were having a milk-urea <4mmol/L at first test-day. Herd factors significantly associated with poor udder health of first-parity cows were feeding first-parity cows sugar-beet pulp or corn silage, and to give silage from a different batch to pregnant heifers than to lactating cows. Moreover, to have sawdust or shavings in the calving pen, to be moved from the calving pen > or =2 days after calving, to milk first-parity cows at the calving site instead of in the parlor, and to rinse, clean or disinfect milking units before a first-parity cow was milked were also significantly associated with poor udder health of first-parity cows. The results indicate that different control measures must be taken depending on the nature of the udder health problem.

Author information

Author/s: Nyman, A-K (AK); Emanuelson, U (U); Gustafsson, A H (AH); Persson Waller, K (K);

Affiliation: Department of Animal Health and Antimicrobial Strategies, National Veterinary Institute, SE-751 89 Uppsala, Sweden. ann.nyman(-atsign-)sva.se

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Preventive veterinary medicine (Prev Vet Med), published in Netherlands. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Feb; vol 88 (issue 2) : pp 138-49

Dates: Created 2008/12/29; Completed 2009/04/21;

PMID: 18842308, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 4/21/2009, IMS Date: 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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