Fact Sheets
The level of cow mastitis in a dairy herd influences milk quality. National Mastitis Council Fact Sheets discuss several topics that address milk quality, including mastitis, the milking process, dry cow therapy, teat dip use, somatic cell count, mastitis control and bacteriological culture. Review these documents to learn more about harvesting quality milk.
The NMC Liner Fact Sheet provides an overview, with moderate level of detail, into aspects of liner assessment and the interaction between the liner and teat during machine milking.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostic techniques may be used to diagnose bacterial intramammary infections.
The use of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) in dairy sanitation products is of concern and this fact sheet clarifies NPE issues and implications for dairy producers.
A PRACTICAL LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL MASTITIS
Controlling environmental mastitis is achieved by decreasing teat end exposure to potential pathogens or increasing the cow’s resistance to mastitis pathogens.
A PRACTICAL LOOK AT ENVIRONMENTAL MASTITIS – SPANISH VERSION
El control de la mastitis ambiental se logra al disminuir la exposición de los pezones al potencial patógenos o aumentar la resistencia de la vaca a los agentes patógenos de mastitis.
A PRACTICAL LOOK AT CONTAGIOUS MASTITIS
Learn about contagious mastitis pathogens and methods for controlling contagious mastitis.
RECOMMENDED MILKING PROCEDURES
Proper milking procedures, attention to detail and a clean environment are required to minimize mastitis and maximize production of quality milk.
DRY COW THERAPY (UPDATED 2023)
Dry cow treatment is one component of an effective mastitis control program, with protocols potentially including antimicrobial infusion and/or internal teat sealant.
POSTMILKING TEAT DISINFECTION (UPDATED 2020)
Disinfecting teats with a germicidal agent immediately after cluster removal at every milking kills a significant proportion of mastitis pathogens on teats, aids in healing teat lesions and helps protect skin condition.
THE VALUE AND USE OF DHI SOMATIC CELL COUNTS
The DHI somatic cell count program is a valuable tool for monitoring and evaluating a herd’s mastitis control program.
HEIFER MASTITIS PREVENTION AND CONTROL PLAN
An integrated strategy to prevent and control heifer mastitis should include goal setting, assessment of current farm systems, application of appropriate farm-specific interventions and monitoring of outcomes.
MILK BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS USING MALDI-TOF TECHNOLOGY (UPDATED 2018)
A new technology, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), identifies bacteria from milk samples.
MASTITIS CONTROL ON ORGANIC DAIRIES IN THE UNITED STATES
Learn about the challenges and solutions organic dairy producers face in controlling mastitis and harvesting quality milk.