Importance of Bedding Management in Dry Period and Early Lactation

Cost of Early Lactation Mastitis Infections
Spring is here and summer is getting close. Snow melt, rainy
days, and summer heat and humidity bring the usual stress
challenges to animals and people. One of the challenges in
spring and summer is the more rapid growth of bacteria in
bedding and resulting higher somatic cell count (SCC) and
clinical mastitis. This article shows the profit potential from
improving bedding management and reducing early lactation
infections.
Why is attention to Bedding Management VERY
important during the dry period and soon after calving?
A recent review of DHI records indicated that 35% of first
lactation heifers started milking with probable mastitis
infections (SCC> 200,000). In addition, 35% of older cows
had probable infections in their first month of lactation. Most
of these early lactation infections are probably due to risk
factors in the first 3 weeks after cows are dried-off or 2 weeks
before calving. In fact, recent DNA studies indicate that over
one-half of clinical mastitis that occurs in the first two
months of calving actually began during the dry period.
Bedding is a likely risk factor contributing to these new
infections. Cows and heifers are most susceptible to new
infections in early and late dry period and around calving due
to changes in their disease defensive system. These are often
times when bedding management is poorest. Because of this
combination of events, attention to bedding management
becomes very important to reduce new infections after
calving.
WIFM – What‘s In it For Me (e.g., you)?
(besides more work….)
Studies estimate the average production loss of cows calving
with mastitis is 1500 lbs. less than for cows with no infection
in early lactation. At a $13.50 milk price, prevention of new
early lactation infections results in $202.50 per cow additional
profit. This can be taken a step further to evaluate the
lactation herd cost for herds with differing early lactation
infection levels. The example below looks at the cost when
35% of cows have early lactation infections (e.g., based on
research stated above) and when 10% of cows have early
lactation infections. You can calculate your own costs using
DHI SCC information (e.g., % of cows with SCC > 200,000 in
the first three months of lactation). The table also shows the
potential savings by reducing early lactation herd infections
from 35 to 10%.

table 1

Sandy Costello, Penn State Dairy Alliance, Workforce Development Specialist