Jan. 16 2015 06:18 AM



Heifer mastitis is real, it is costly, and dairy scientists say it is more common than many milk producers think. How common? It isn't considered a problem unless more than 15 percent of heifers freshen with clinical cases.


  2. Control cross-suckling by calves and young stock.

  3. Implement an effective and efficient fly control system.

  4. Keep heifers in a clean, hygienic environment that is separated from cows, and devote as much attention to maintaining it as is devoted to the cows' environment.

  5. Avoid any nutritional deficiency. Monitor vitamin E and selenium if high clinical mastitis exists. Zinc, copper and vitamin A can also play a role.

  6. Prevent the risk of negative energy balance before and after calving via proper transition feeding.

  7. Reduce udder edema incidence through optimum close-up period management.

  8. Minimize stress around calving time, such as by not moving cows when in labor, and minimize dystocia and pre-calving diseases.

  9. Consider the use of teat sealants before calving if a high risk of environmental mastitis exists during the close-up period.

  10. Use precalving antibiotic treatment under certain conditions only: under the supervision of the herd veterinarian and a valid client/patient relationship (VCRP); after culturing has identified the pathogens and quantified the problem; appropriate antibiotics are chosen for use; milk is residue-tested before every milk delivery; and management is upgraded at the same time and treatment is stopped as soon as it becomes effective.
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