Evaluation of Risk Factors of Dairy Cow Mastitis in the Cattle Farm X

The aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors of dairy cow mastitis in the cattle farm X. The following risk factors associated with cow productivity (milk yield per day, days after calving, parity), udder contamination (teat bacterial contamination before and after teat rinsing, udder contamination on 4-point scale), and employees knowledge about teat preparation before milking, were assessed. The study involved 92 dairy cows: 30 cows free of mastitis which were held in Cowshed No. 1, 30 cows free of mastitis which were held in Cowshed No. 2 and 32 cows with mastitis which were held in Cowshed No. 3. Also 7 women working as milkmaids were interviewed. Study data was obtained from farm management computer program (milk yield per day, days after calving, parity). The teat test examples were examined before and after teat rinse, udder contamination was visually rated and farm milkmaids were interviewed using survey prepared according to milkers training program. Data was compared using the following statistical methods: Stjudent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation. The results of the study revealed that the milk yield of cows with mastitis started to decrease 5 days before clinical signs of mastitis (19.5 litres, S=1.21) while milk yield of cows free of mastitis remained unchanged (23.25 litres, S=1.4; p<0.001). Time after calving in cows with mastitis (30.63 days, S=6.23) was almost two times shorter than in healthy cows (65.72 days, S=41.99; p<0.001). Also parity mediana in cows with mastitis was 3 (1-4) and it was significantly higher compared to cows free of mastitis with parity mediana of 2 (1-3) (p=0.003). Cows teat bacterial contamination before and after teat rinsing and udder contamination mediana was significantly lower in the Cowshed No. 2 with rubber mats and no bedding material (respectively – 14 CC/g (10-29); 2.5 CC/g (1-8); 2 points (1-4)) when compared to Cowshed No. 1 (respectively – 30.5 CC/g (17-38); 12 CC/g (11-19); 3 points (1-4)) and Cowshed No. 3 (respectively – 42 CC/g (36-49); 14 CC/g (8-23); 3 points (1-4)) where cows were held in the stall with compost and manure (p<0.001). A moderate direct correlation between udder contamination and teat contamination before rinse (r=0.475, p<0.001) and after rinse (r=0.531, p