The 2014 National Mastitis Council meeting will be held Jan. 26-28 in Fort Worth, Texas. Progressive Dairyman reached out to several speakers and asked them to share insight into their upcoming presentations.
Jerry R. Roberson
Associate Professor Theriogenology/Large Animal Medicine
Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine
Topic: Treatment Methods & Protocols for Clinical Mastitis with Consideration for Cow Welfare
This presentation will discuss treatment protocols for clinical mastitis with particular emphasis on the necessity of various treatments in regards to cow welfare. More specifically, this presentation will review the scientific literature and present the scientific basis for the necessity of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and fluids in regards to cow welfare.
Why is this topic important?
Mastitis does not always need to be treated. For example, 10 to 25 percent of clinical mastitis cases do not show any growth on culture. Staphylococcus aureus usually doesn’t cure, yeast and other fungi pathogens are not susceptible to antibiotics, and many mild coliform cases self-cure in a few days without antibiotic therapy. Treating all cases results in unnecessary antibiotic drug use. It causes needless pressure for microbial resistance and increases needless risk of bulk tank residues.
Severe clinical mastitis should always be treated but should be treated properly. Fluids are probably the most important therapy but are not always utilized or are insufficient. Some drugs can be toxic, especially if adequate fluids are not provided. Anti-inflammatory drugs should be onboard prior to treating the severe clinical mastitis case of coliform mastitis with an effective antibiotic.
Endotoxin is released when gram-negative bacteria are killed; the subsequent inflammatory response can be detrimental to the cow. Some types of clinical mastitis should be treated even though treatment was considered ineffective in the past. For example, a case can be made for treating Klebsiella (a gram-negative coliform).
What do you hope attendees will take away from your presentation?
The main thing is to realize that the welfare of the cow is at stake if fluids, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs are not utilized as needed for the severe case of clinical mastitis. I also hope attendees realize the importance of treating based on culture results and realize that although not all gram-negative pathogens need to be treated, when needed, some gram-negatives can be treated successfully.
Theo J.G.M. Lam
GD Animal Health, Deventer
The Netherlands and Utrecht University
Topic: Dry Cow Therapy, Does It Still Deserve a Blanket Recommendation?
The goal of antibiotic treatment at drying off is to cure existing intramammary infections (IMI) and to prevent new IMI. Over the years, both have proven to be valid reasons for blanket dry cow therapy (DCT) with antibiotics. For reasons of potential development of antibiotic resistance, however, preventive use of antibiotics has become questionable. In this presentation, we will focus on preventing new IMI in cows with low somatic cell count (SCC) during the dry period.
The effect of DCT on new IMI, clinical mastitis, antibiotic usage and future milk production will be discussed, as well as alternatives, such as teat sealants. Not using DCT in cows with low SCC leads to a substantial decrease in usage of antibiotics but to an increase in SCC and clinical mastitis. The importance of these aspects of different magnitude will be discussed in light of the potential for development of antibiotic resistance, political pressure, animal welfare and economics.
Why is this topic important?
The use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is a hot topic in many countries, given antibiotic resistance in both human and animal populations. This is specifically the case for preventive use of antibiotics, such as dry cow therapy. The general public will (and in some countries does) ask people in the dairy sector to justify both the preventive and general use of antibiotics.
What do you hope attendees will take away from your presentation?
Attendees will see that dry cow therapy is useful, that it prevents clinical and subclinical mastitis. At the same time, antibiotic use and the related costs can be decreased by the selective use of dry cow therapy.
Along with several general presentations, NMC will offer 11 short course presentations. Learn more about one of these courses below.
Jeffrey Bewley
Associate Extension Professor
University of Kentucky
Christina Petersson Wolfe
Associate Professor
Virginia Tech University
Topic: Unlocking the Potential of Precision Dairy Farming Mastitis- Detection Technologies
Precision dairy farming is the use of technologies to measure physiological, behavioral and production indicators on individual animals to improve management strategies and farm performance. Many precision dairy farming technologies, including daily milk yield recording, milk component monitoring (for example, fat, protein and SCC), accelerometers, milk conductivity indicators, rumination monitors, automatic estrus detection monitors and daily bodyweight measurements already are being utilized by dairy producers.
Yet, we have only seen the beginning of the introduction of sophisticated technologies in monitoring dairy cows. Because of the number of options available to dairy producers, the decision-making process for adoption of these technologies is complex. The economic, technical, and social advantages and disadvantages of these technologies must be considered carefully.
This course will cover technologies currently available along with a group discussion of advantages and disadvantages. Course instructors will discuss factors to consider before purchasing these technologies, potential pitfalls, economics and implementation strategies. Examples of practical on-farm uses of technologies will be provided using research and field experiences. Approaches toward time-series data analysis and interpretation will also be covered. Printed handouts will be provided.
Topics
- What technologies are being marketed and being developed for mastitis detection?
- What criteria and factors should be considered before adopting a new technology?
- How should the economics of technology adoption be evaluated?
- How can we use and interpret data from these technologies?
- What are people seeing in the field?
Why is this topic important?
Mastitis remains an economically important issue for dairy producers. Early mastitis detection may reduce the economic losses associated with mastitis and improve animal well-being. Many new monitoring technologies are now available or in development for real-time on-farm mastitis detection.
What do you hope attendees will take away from your presentation?
We hope attendees gain a better understanding of the technologies available, questions to ask before investing in technologies and ideas for maximizing on-farm use. Additionally, we will encourage interaction and ideas from all attendees as we work together as an industry to use this information. PD
Visit the NMC website for more details about the conference.
