The Hidden Costs of Mastitis
Mastitis is the most costly disease to the dairy industry, estimated at nearly $2 billion dollars annually in the US (Schroeder, 2012). When evaluating the costs of mastitis, many farmers think of the direct costs, those that occur immediately at the time of infection. The most significant of these include the cost of discarded milk and treatment (both the veterinary service and cost of medicine). However, there are many underlying costs that may not be immediately apparent. These hidden expenses can be larger than the direct costs, encompassing issues such as increased risk of subsequent health disorders in the affected cows, long term effects on milk yield and quality, culling, high labor costs and even farmer health.
Risk of Subsequent Health Problems
Mastitis (especially subclinical presentation) increases a cow’s susceptibility to developing subsequent diseases. The greater workload on the immune system to eliminate the mastitis …show more content…
The direct costs may be obvious, but they are often a relatively small contributor to the overall impact of the disease on your bottom line. It is important to be aware of the indirect costs and keep these under control as well. While there is no avoiding some level of infection, detecting and treating mastitis early can prevent subsequent health problems in your herd as well as protecting your health and peace of mind.
For a more detailed discussion of the effects of mastitis, see the following articles:
Effects of Mastitis on Fertility
Dissecting the Effects of Mastitis
How are High Somatic Cell Counts Cutting into Your Cheese Production?
References
Carrier, J. (2009). Improving Udder Health: An Economic Gain. Retrieved from Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network: http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/rcrmb/en/imprimable.php?p=166&tm=i
Schroeder, J. (2012). Mastitis Control Programs. Fargo: North Dakota State
Mastitis is the most costly disease to the dairy industry, estimated at nearly $2 billion dollars annually in the US (Schroeder, 2012). When evaluating the costs of mastitis, many farmers think of the direct costs, those that occur immediately at the time of infection. The most significant of these include the cost of discarded milk and treatment (both the veterinary service and cost of medicine). However, there are many underlying costs that may not be immediately apparent. These hidden expenses can be larger than the direct costs, encompassing issues such as increased risk of subsequent health disorders in the affected cows, long term effects on milk yield and quality, culling, high labor costs and even farmer health.
Risk of Subsequent Health Problems
Mastitis (especially subclinical presentation) increases a cow’s susceptibility to developing subsequent diseases. The greater workload on the immune system to eliminate the mastitis …show more content…
The direct costs may be obvious, but they are often a relatively small contributor to the overall impact of the disease on your bottom line. It is important to be aware of the indirect costs and keep these under control as well. While there is no avoiding some level of infection, detecting and treating mastitis early can prevent subsequent health problems in your herd as well as protecting your health and peace of mind.
For a more detailed discussion of the effects of mastitis, see the following articles:
Effects of Mastitis on Fertility
Dissecting the Effects of Mastitis
How are High Somatic Cell Counts Cutting into Your Cheese Production?
References
Carrier, J. (2009). Improving Udder Health: An Economic Gain. Retrieved from Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network: http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/rcrmb/en/imprimable.php?p=166&tm=i
Schroeder, J. (2012). Mastitis Control Programs. Fargo: North Dakota State