Known as SmartSAMM, the online resource builds on the SAMM Plan (seasonal approach to managing mastitis) with updated information.
Senior DairyNZ scientist and technical manager for SmartSAMM, Dr Jane Lacy-Hulbert, says the new resource gives dairy farmers and their advisors easy access to the complete industry-agreed knowledge about mastitis and milk quality.
“We’re pleased to be able to launch this new resource. The benefits for farmers and the dairy industry are huge: improved udder health and milk quality, time savings at milking, and ultimately improved production and profit.
“For farmers, SmartSAMM provides key tools and resources to help establish whether a problem exists, and if so what to do next and how to prevent it in future. There are guidelines and key recommendations for managing mastitis during calving, lactation, drying off and the dry period.
“For advisors, the corresponding Technotes provide more of the science detail that sits behind the recommendations; we’ve tried to make this an all-you-need-to-know resource,” says Lacy-Hulbert.
The SmartSAMM project is a collaboration of NMAC (National Mastitis Advisory Committee) with stakeholders and service providers responsible for mastitis control and milk quality in New Zealand.
It is funded by DairyNZ and MPI. The source material has been adapted from Dairy Australia’s Countdown Downunder and updated for New Zealand dairy farming.
The SmartSAMM website is now live at
www.smartsamm.co.nz
