Fight Against Mastitis
UK - Mastitis control is still a big issue in the dairying world, and the industry must remain vigilant about tackling it, Dairy UK said today.
15 October 2009
1 minute read
Speaking at the 2009 British Mastitis Conference, Dairy UK Director General Jim Begg said: “Since I joined the industry over 30 years ago, the issue of mastitis in cows has never been far from the top of the agenda.
He said that the industry has made significant improvements over the years, but with farm margins now under pressure, the industry has a responsibility to ensure that a compelling economic case is put before farmers so that the benefits of achieving low cell counts are clear to them.
“Somatic cell counts in UK produced milk are generally good compared to global competitors," Mr Begg said. "But we can’t afford to be complacent. The bottom line is that farmers stand to increase their incomes by hitting low cell count targets. Recent research from Sweden suggested that improved profits equivalent to £257 per cow were achievable. "
Mr Begg went on to say that besides the economic rationale, there is a compelling animal health and welfare incentive to reducing mastitis. Healthy cows yield more milk and maintain a positive image for the dairy sector. A positive animal welfare approach is the least customers expect.
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