Detection of Subclinical Mastitis from On-Line Milking Parlor Data

A model, based on automatically collected data, was developed for detection of subclinical mastitis. The logistic regression model was based on the following variables: milk electrical conductivity, milk production, parity, and DIM. Subclinical mastitis was defined as a minimal period of 1 wk in which the SCC was >500 × 103 cells/ml. In contrast, periods were defined as healthy if the SCC was 6 electrical conductivity signals for high SCC. Based on these test characteristics, the model could be used as an initial screening tool in a herd with a high incidence of subclinical mastitis. Cows with a signal would have a higher probability of being diseased than the total population. In such herds. separation of milk from the signaled cows might be a possible management strategy to reduce the SCC in the bulk milk tank