Reduced Milk Production in Udder Quarters with Subclinical Mastitis and Associated Economic Losses in Crossbred Dairy Cows in Ethiopia

Abstract

The objective of the study was to estimate the losses associated with subclinical mastitis (SCM) in crossbred dairy cows in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia. A split udder investigation was performed with 30 cows to determine production losses associated with SCM. Each quarter of the study cows was examined using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and quarter milk production was measured over a period of 8 days. Production losses were determined for different CMT scores by comparing production of quarters with CMT score 0 to quarters with CMT scores trace, 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Using data from a recently published study, economic losses were determined for different farm sizes and production subsystems by multiplying the prevalence of the respective CMT scores with the production losses associated with these CMT scores. Mean quarter milk production was 0.82 +/- 0.40 kg per milking in the split udder trial. Milk production was reduced by 1.2%, 6.3%, and 33% in quarters with CMT scores 1+, 2+, and 3+, respectively. Using data from the published study, a quarter with SCM lost an average of 17.2% of its milk production. Production losses associated with SCM were estimated at 5.6% for the Addis Ababa Milk Shed. Stratified losses were highest (9.3%) in urban dairy farms (UDF) and small-scale farms (6.3%). The estimates of the financial losses ranged from US dollars 29.1 in dairy herds in secondary towns (DHIST) to US dollars 66.6 in UDF. A total loss of US dollars 38 was estimated for each cow per lactation. Reducing mastitis in UDF (highest prevalence) to the level of DHIST (lowest prevalence) could reduce the loss by US dollars 35. As this does not include costs associated with treatment or culling of diseased cows, this figure probably underestimates the possible benefits of control measures.

Isolation, identifications and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of coagulase positive <i>Staphylococcus</i> from subclinical mastitic dairy cattle in and around Haramaya University

“…This study revealed significantly (P<0.05) higher prevalence of CPS as parity number increased. Similar findings were previously reported by (Oudessa Kerro and Fiseha Tareke, 2003;Mungube et al, 2005;Demelash Biffa et al, 2005;Kassaye Getahun et al, 2008;Mulugeta Yohannis and Wassie Molla, 2013). The age-multiparous-high prevalence relationship is explored to be due to decrease in teat patency, degree and frequency of previous exposure in multiparous old cows (Radostits et al, 2007).…”

“…SCM is 3 to 4 times more common than the clinical mastitis and it is not often detected by most of the dairy farmers; hence it is the major factor affecting the productivity of dairy cattle (Mungube et al, 2005). Reduction in milk production and quality, treatment cost, premature culling of cows and loss of genetic potential will follow leading to heavy economic losses (Leitner et al, 2011).…”

Comparison of Two Regimens of Nigella sativa Extract for Treatment of Subclinical Mastitis Caused by Staphylococcus aureus

“…In addition, quarter location, lnSCCpre and the interaction of parity with lnSCCpre and quarter location were significantly associated with lnSCCpost (El Bagir et al, 2010;Mungube et al, 2005).…”

Prevalence of mastitis pathogens in milk from clinically healthy cows

“…This results in reduced milk quality and yield, which in turn leads to a reduction in the farmer's income as well as that of the dairy industry. This is mainly due to the prolonged diagnostics of the disease and long-term decrease in the milk yield and technological value (Mungube et al 2005; Halasa et al MIC mod = the MIC value most frequently occurred; MIC 50 = the MIC value for 50% isolates; MIC 90 = the MIC value for 90% isolates; S = susceptible isolates; I = intermediately resistant isolates; R = resistant isolates 2009). Moreover, unlike the clinical form of the disease, subclinical mastitis is widely spread among dairy herds (Gruet et al 2001).…”