In the last decade, the mean incidence of clinical mastitis has been cited as being between 17 and 43 cases per 100 cows a year. However, according to this nationwide set of results, a more pragmatic estimate appears to be far higher, at between 47 and 65 cases per 100 cows a year, explains lead author of the report Andrew Bradley.

"Following application of the five-point plan, significant progress was made in reducing incidence of clinical mastitis between the 1960s and 1980s. In the 1970s cases were as common as one for every 2500 litres of milk produced. This is now one case for every 10,000 litres," explains Dr Bradley. "But in the past 20 years there has been little improvement in these ratios.

"Although we have to be careful not to over-hype these results, dairy producers should be aware of the true incidence of mastitis on a national scale," he believes.

Source: Farmers Weekly Interactive