Characterization of the milk production chain and study of the dairy herd health in the city of Codó, Maranhão

Abstract

In order to characterize the milk production chain and study the dairy herd health in the city of Codó, state of Maranhão, Brazil, a checklist was applied and tests were carried out to detect clinical and subclinical mastitis using mastitis test strip cup and the California mastitis test (CMT), from June to August 2019, in 295 dairy cows from 20 farms. Water and milk samples were collected for microbiological analysis. It was observed that herdsmen do not have adequate knowledge about good agricultural practices. As for milking, only 60% are performed in corrals with coverage, and as for the floor, 60% are made of clay and 40% are made of concrete. In 35% of the properties, the water used in milking management comes from wells and the rest from dams. Pre and postdipping practices, CMT, mastitis strip cup test and the adoption of a mastitis control program are not carried out on any of the properties Two cows tested positive for subclinical mastitis and one cow tested positive for tuberculosis. In the microbiological analysis of the milk, a high count of total coliforms and thermotolerants was obtained, with values between 23 to > 1,100 MPN/mL and < 3.0 to > 1,100 MPN/mL, respectively. The presence of coagulase positive staphylococci was also observed in 25% of the samples. The water samples also showed high contamination by total coliforms between 4.1 to > 2.419.6 MPN/mL and 40% showed the presence of Escherichia coli. These results reflect the need for more investments in technical assistance and technical training for these producers.