College - Author 1
College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences
Department - Author 1
Dairy Science Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Dairy Science
Date
12-2009
Primary Advisor
Leanne Berning
Abstract/Summary
The objective of this study was to improve udder health and milk quality through the use of an on farm culture based treatment program. Milk samples were collected from mastitis cows, fresh cows, and high somatic cell count cows (cows with greater than 400,000 cells/mL in the last two DHIA tests) and cultured on bi plates; each side consisting of a selective medium for either gram positive bacteria and gram negative bacteria. The plates were then incubated for 24 hours and examined for growth. When growth was present, the infected quarter(s) were treated with cephapirin sodium for two consecutive milkings. After 30 days, milk samples were re-cultured to determine the effectiveness of the treatment and the on-farm testing program. The author found that with rapid treatment, 91% of fresh cows that had a positive culture result were cleared, 93% of mastitis cows that cultured positive were cleared, and 60% of high somatic cell count cows having a positive culture were cleared.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/dscisp/9