The winter period is well known to play host to environmental mastitis leading to increases in cases on farms. Common reservoirs for environmental mastitis are bedding, moisture, mud and manure. Therefore, managing and putting in place mitigations can help to combat the problem and in turn reduce increased risks of other diseases occurring, such as ketosis, milk fever, lameness, and endometritis within herds.
The need to monitor herd mastitis levels is important. A historical yearly report can analyse new infections, view repeat patterns, and oversee the dry period infection rates. This data can help provide a strategy for farms enabling farmers to spot cases of mastitis in early lactations.
In the winter months ensuring that there is enough space for cattle to be housed is critical. Groups work well to separate problems such as infected and high SCC cows which should be milked last. Remember to cull chronically infected cows and regularly assess the groups to ensure that over stocking is not happening. Keeping heifers apart is also important to introduce them to the milking herd.
Bedding of cattle is vital to prevent increases in cases throughout winter. If using straw yards, regular cleaning out and daily bedding is important. Re-assessing weather conditions is important. This can help you plan for wet weather, ensuring that you are able to provide extra bedding and regularly remove any wet bedding.
