The control of the level of staphylococcal contamination of the bovine udder by shed management

Abstract

Extract

The establishment of intramammary infection in the dairy cow requires the initial exposure of the udder or quarter to bacteria. Thus, reduced exposure of the udders of cows to staphylococci should reduce the incidence of intramammary staphylococcal infections. Various methods have been described for preventing the exposure of the udder to bacteria (for review see Neave and Jackson, 1971). Furthermore, as compared with the older cows in the herd, the first-lactation heifers calve with a low level of staphylococcal contamination of their udders (Munch-Petersen, 1968, 1970; Jones and Shannon, 1972). Davidson (1961) noted that the udder of the cow was the most important source of staphylococci for spread to other animals and that other sources, such as the milker's hands, were of secondary importance. Thus, a management policy aimed at reducing the exposure of the udders of heifers in the herd to staphylococci being shed in the milk of older cows should assist in the control of staphylococcal mastitis.