B6: Importance of udder evaluation in dairy cattle, udder health, milk hygiene

Question 1

what is involved in udder evaluation?

Answer 1

-> udder attachement.
-> udder depth, width, cleft.
-> teat placement, legth,
-> milking speed.

• Linear conformation scoring system on functional traits; 9-point scale: Stature + Strength (in legs) + Foot angle + Fore udder attachment.

Question 2

what is mastitis?

Answer 2

most common problem in udder health.
it is subclinical and may not show clinical signs but will raise bacterial count in milk.
Must be monitored and milk separated from the rest.

Question 3

how do farmers maintain udder health?

Answer 3

Cleaning teats with a cloth if needed before milking.
Disinfecting udders before and after milking.
Daily routine for cleanig and disinfecting milking equipment after use.

Question 4

how is ketosis related to mastitis?

Answer 4

• Cows in negative energy balance are at a higher risk of ketosis and clinical ketosis is associated with a 2-fold increase in risk of mastitis.

Question 5

what other components can affect udder health?

Answer 5

• Trace minerals and vitamins can also affect udder health, e.g. Selenium, vitamin E, copper, Zinc,
  vitamin A and beta-carotene.

Question 6

What is the Mastitis Resistance Index used for?

Answer 6

For genetic evaluation of breeding bulls (in case of estimation of genetic effect of udder health).

Important traits of daughters must be considered:
◦ Somatic cell count
◦ Udder conformation: Udder depth, Fore udder attachment, Teat length
◦ Milking speed

Question 7

what is udder scoring and how is it done?

Answer 7

Depends on (1) Teat size and (2) Udder Suspension.

udders should be scored 24hr after each calving, by the same person for the entire herd.

scores taken from the quarter which is the combined worst quarter for each trait (Onl1 1 quarter used per animal).

Teat Size:
–> evaluate length and circumference of teat.
–> Score of 1 = large and misshapen teat.
–> Score of 9 = very small teat.

Udder Suspension:
–> evaluated on how tightly the udder is held to the body cavity.
–> score of 1 = pendulous udder (suspensory ligament breakdown).
–> score of 9 = very tight and close to body.

Question 8

What caution must be taken for milk storage and cooling?

Answer 8

Milk storage and cooling
Milk must be protected from contamination during
transfer and storage.
Milk must be cooled quickly to minimise bacteria
multiplication.
Bulk tanks must be cleaned and disinfected after
each milk collection and kept in good condition