The Hidden Costs of Mastitis
Mastitis is the most costly disease to the dairy industry, estimated at nearly $2 billion dollars annually in the US (Schroeder, 2012). When evaluating the costs of mastitis, many farmers think of the direct costs, those that occur immediately at the time of infection. The most significant of these include the cost of discarded milk and treatment (both the veterinary service and cost of medicine). However, there are many underlying costs that may not be immediately apparent. These hidden expenses can be larger than the direct costs, encompassing issues such as increased risk of subsequent health disorders in the affected cows, long term effects on milk yield and quality, culling, high labor costs and even farmer health.
Risk of Subsequent Health Problems
Mastitis (especially subclinical presentation) increases a cow’s susceptibility to developing subsequent diseases. The greater workload on the immune system to eliminate the mastitis infection from the udder places the cow under oxidative stress and leaves her vulnerable to developing other infections or health problems. Both lameness and ketosis are commonly associated with mastitis, but a more significant health concern is impaired fertility. Mastitis has been shown to result in low conception rates, increasing the calving-conception interval by 25 days (Carrier, 2009). Mastitis occurring in the early stages of pregnancy has the potential to cause abortion or result in a weak calf being born as the dam diverts resources normally used for the calf’s growth to fighting infection. Effects on Milk Yield and Quality The direct costs of discarded milk due to mastitis, and its associated lost feed costs are certainly one of the most detrimental factors of the disease. However, even if an infection is successfully treated with antibiotics for the clinical symptoms, it can still reduce a cow’s milk yield throughout the rest of the lactation period, and possibly over the rest of the animal’s life. This is a result of the damage the infection inflicts on the udder’s structure and function at the cellular level. Additionally, the quality of milk produced can significantly deteriorate following a mastitis infection. The elevated Somatic Cell Count (SCC) associated with subclinical infection can change the composition of milk regarding the ratio of fat to protein. Furthermore, the structure of milk proteins can also be altered by a high SCC, which decreases the manufacturing properties of the milk. This ultimately has a detrimental impact on dairy farm revenues, as lower quality dairy products such as cheese and yogurt have less market …show more content…
The direct costs may be obvious, but they are often a relatively small contributor to the overall impact of the disease on your bottom line. It is important to be aware of the indirect costs and keep these under control as well. While there is no avoiding some level of infection, detecting and treating mastitis early can prevent subsequent health problems in your herd as well as protecting your health and peace of mind.
For a more detailed discussion of the effects of mastitis, see the following articles:
Effects of Mastitis on Fertility
Dissecting the Effects of Mastitis
How are High Somatic Cell Counts Cutting into Your Cheese Production?
References
Carrier, J. (2009). Improving Udder Health: An Economic Gain. Retrieved from Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network: http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/rcrmb/en/imprimable.php?p=166&tm=i
Schroeder, J. (2012). Mastitis Control Programs. Fargo: North Dakota State
Mastitis is the most costly disease to the dairy industry, estimated at nearly $2 billion dollars annually in the US (Schroeder, 2012). When evaluating the costs of mastitis, many farmers think of the direct costs, those that occur immediately at the time of infection. The most significant of these include the cost of discarded milk and treatment (both the veterinary service and cost of medicine). However, there are many underlying costs that may not be immediately apparent. These hidden expenses can be larger than the direct costs, encompassing issues such as increased risk of subsequent health disorders in the affected cows, long term effects on milk yield and quality, culling, high labor costs and even farmer health.
Risk of Subsequent Health Problems
Mastitis (especially subclinical presentation) increases a cow’s susceptibility to developing subsequent diseases. The greater workload on the immune system to eliminate the mastitis infection from the udder places the cow under oxidative stress and leaves her vulnerable to developing other infections or health problems. Both lameness and ketosis are commonly associated with mastitis, but a more significant health concern is impaired fertility. Mastitis has been shown to result in low conception rates, increasing the calving-conception interval by 25 days (Carrier, 2009). Mastitis occurring in the early stages of pregnancy has the potential to cause abortion or result in a weak calf being born as the dam diverts resources normally used for the calf’s growth to fighting infection. Effects on Milk Yield and Quality The direct costs of discarded milk due to mastitis, and its associated lost feed costs are certainly one of the most detrimental factors of the disease. However, even if an infection is successfully treated with antibiotics for the clinical symptoms, it can still reduce a cow’s milk yield throughout the rest of the lactation period, and possibly over the rest of the animal’s life. This is a result of the damage the infection inflicts on the udder’s structure and function at the cellular level. Additionally, the quality of milk produced can significantly deteriorate following a mastitis infection. The elevated Somatic Cell Count (SCC) associated with subclinical infection can change the composition of milk regarding the ratio of fat to protein. Furthermore, the structure of milk proteins can also be altered by a high SCC, which decreases the manufacturing properties of the milk. This ultimately has a detrimental impact on dairy farm revenues, as lower quality dairy products such as cheese and yogurt have less market …show more content…
The direct costs may be obvious, but they are often a relatively small contributor to the overall impact of the disease on your bottom line. It is important to be aware of the indirect costs and keep these under control as well. While there is no avoiding some level of infection, detecting and treating mastitis early can prevent subsequent health problems in your herd as well as protecting your health and peace of mind.
For a more detailed discussion of the effects of mastitis, see the following articles:
Effects of Mastitis on Fertility
Dissecting the Effects of Mastitis
How are High Somatic Cell Counts Cutting into Your Cheese Production?
References
Carrier, J. (2009). Improving Udder Health: An Economic Gain. Retrieved from Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network: http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/rcrmb/en/imprimable.php?p=166&tm=i
Schroeder, J. (2012). Mastitis Control Programs. Fargo: North Dakota State