Which practices are recommended to prevent mastitis in dairy cows?

Preventing mastitis in dairy cows is critically important for maintaining udder health and ensuring good milk quality. Testing milk and cleaning equipment are vital practices in controlling and preventing mastitis.

Testing milk allows farmers to identify the presence of pathogens, which can indicate whether mastitis is occurring and facilitate timely interventions to treat affected cows and prevent spread within the herd. Additionally, maintaining cleanliness of milking equipment is essential because bacteria can thrive in dirty or improperly sanitized equipment, leading to higher risks of infection in the udder during milking.

By focusing on both of these practices, dairy farmers can significantly reduce the incidence of mastitis, thereby enhancing animal welfare, milk production, and overall farm profitability. This prevention strategy is more direct and specifically addresses the causes of mastitis compared to other options, which might not have as direct an impact on udder health.