The economic impact of mastitis-control procedures used in Scottish dairy herds with high bulk-tank somatic-cell counts.

ABSTRACT

We used multiple-regression analysis of field data to quantify the marginal impacts of various mastitis-control procedures on bulk-tank somatic-cell count (BTSCC). Estimates of milk-yield depression and the probability of herds paying a BTSCC penalty due to the presence of subclinical mastitis were made. An assessment of the economic efficiency of mastitis control by high BTSCC producers was also made using a loss-expenditure frontier. Significant interactions were detected between premilking udder-preparation methods (UP) and post-milking teat disinfection (PMTD), and also between the milking system of the herds and both the use of dry-cow therapy (DCT) and a regular milking-machine test (MMT). Udder preparation involving washing was associated with a higher SCC and had a detrimental effect on the efficacy of PMTD. Amongst herds facing a high-BTSCC problem (BTSCC >400,000 cells/ml), herds using PMTD without UP (regardless of the type of milking system), those using DCT (in parlour systems), and those with a parlour system having their milking machines tested obtained returns of Pound Sterling 1.4, Pound Sterling 3.9 and Pound Sterling 1.1, respectively, per Pound Sterling 1 investment in each of these procedures as a result of reductions in milk-yield losses and BTSCC penalties. The minimum total cost of disease within these herds was Pound Sterling 65.50/cow/year (due to Pound Sterling 41.40 revenue losses plus Pound Sterling 24.10 mastitis-control expenditure) attained by herds which had a parlour system and used DCT, MMT and PMTD (without UP). However, the average cost of subclinical mastitis for all high-BTSCC farms was Pound Sterling 100/cow/yr; hence, the difference (pound Sterling 34.50) could be saved by the more-efficient application of mastitis-control procedures.