increase font size
While farmers prepare their herds for mating they should keep the milking team focused on preventing mastitis says Dairy Australia's animal health and fertility programme manager, Dr Kathryn Davis.
Research shows that sub-clinical and clinical mastitis can damage the fertility of dairy cows.
Any type of inflammation in the cow's body can affect her reproductive system. Inflammation produces chemicals that can affect the release of hormones (required for reproduction) from the cow's brain, and directly affect the function of the ovaries and uterus.
"If a cow gets mastitis before mating, it affects the production of oestradiol (a hormone which allows expression of heat) and therefore the time before mating and calving will be longer than for those cows not affected by mastitis; in fact research has shown a delay of up to 22 days," says Davis.
In 2013, Countdown 2020 estimated the financial cost of each clinical case of mastitis to be A$277 which can add up to costs in the thousands for a herd-wide outbreak. Dairy Australia's Countdown shed guides and countdown mastitis toolkit app help prevent or minimise outbreaks.
Davis says while problems caused by mastitis were well known including extra labour, discarded milk, reduced milk production in the remaining lactation, cow welfare issues, medication costs, increased culling rates and the risk of antibiotic residues, the effects on fertility are more difficult to see and can occur months later.
Dairy Australia's Countdown shed guides and videos for farmers and their staff remind milkers of the recommended practices to reduce the risk of mastitis, she says.
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try harder" report card on the red meat industry regarding its exports to China - particularly when compared to Australia.
Twenty four young farmers from South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania have returned from a recent study tour of Ireland with practical insights, fresh thinking and an expanded network of peers.
More Australian states are embracing virtual fencing technology, opening growth opportunities for Kiwi companies like Halter.
Fonterra says its ongoing legal battle with Australian processor Bega Cheese won’t change its divestment plans.
Farmers in the Australian state of New South Wales will soon be able to use virtual fencing and herding technology to boost farm productivity.
The National Wild Goat Hunting Competition has removed 33,418 wild goats over the past three years.
New Zealand needs a new healthcare model to address rising rates of obesity in rural communities, with the current system leaving many patients unable to access effective treatment or long-term support, warn GPs.
Southland farmers are being urged to put safety first, following a spike in tip offs about risky handling of wind-damaged trees
Third-generation Ashburton dairy farmers TJ and Mark Stewart are no strangers to adapting and evolving.
When American retail giant Cosco came to audit Open Country Dairy’s new butter plant at the Waharoa site and give the green light to supply their American stores, they allowed themselves a week for the exercise.
Fonterra chair Peter McBride says the divestment of Mainland Group is their last significant asset sale and signals the end of structural changes.
President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on imports into the US is doing good things for global trade, according…
Seen a giant cheese roll rolling along Southland’s roads?
