This blog provides information about milk quality & udder health issues
of importance to dairy producers &
farm advisors.

Posts by Sandy Costello Ph.D.
Milk Quality & Mastitis Specialist

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Recent Twitters: October 2011

There were lots of tweets over the last few weeks by Anne Saeman, Executive Director of National Mastitis Council (Twitter@QualityMilk). The purpose was to spotlight udder health and milk quality points made at World Dairy Expo and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners & National Mastitis Council Joint meetings (AABP-NMC). Each TWEET has a lot more to the story...always ask for the rest of the story before making decisions solely on brief statements below.



ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE by MASTITIS PATHOGENS:
1. Antibiotic Resistance: There is no evidence of antimicrobial resistance to mastitis pathogens. (Source: Hogan, J. from Ohio State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
2. Antibiotic Resistance & Risk of Transfer from Milk to People: Results suggest a low risk of transmission of bacteria from milk and milk products to human populations. (Source: Saini, V. from Univ. of Calgary at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
3. Methicillin Resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA): Despite many lawsuits, MRSA in milk is not currently a major health concern. (Source: Ferreira, J. from NC State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

ANTIBIOTIC USE on DAIRIES:
1. Antibiotic Use on 40 Dairies in Wisconsin: All 40 dairies treated cows for mastitis; 92% treated for respiratory disease; 85% for foot rot; 32% for diarrhea. (Source: Oliveira, L. from Univ. of WI-Madison at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

AUTOMATIC MILKING SYSTEMS:
1. Electrical Conductivity (EC) & SCC: Use of EC plus SCC together are a better predictor of clinical mastitis than EC alone on robotic farms. (Source: Kamphuis, C. from DairyNZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@MteamUGent (Belgium) on Sept 22, 2011)

2. Mastitis Detection: New and more accurate sensors are needed to further improve detection of clinical mastitis on robotic farms. (Source: Kamphuis, C. from DairyNZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@MteamUGent (Belgium) on Sept 22, 2011)
3. Systems in Denmark: Twenty-two % of herds in Denmark have automatic milking systems. It is the highest in the world. (Source: Katholm, J. from Knowledge Center for Ag, Cattle at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@MilkQuality (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

CLINICAL MASTITIS:
1. No Growth Results: Ten to 40% of all milk samples from clinical mastitis cases result in 'no significant growth' when cultured for mastitis pathogens. (Source: Plummer, P. from Iowa State at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
2. No Growth Results: Study confirmed microbial populations exist in non-culturable mastitis cases. (Source: Plummer, P. from Iowa State at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

DISEASES-OTHER & METABOLIC DISORDERS & MASTITIS:
1. Milk Fever & Mastitis: Research showed that subclinical Milk Fever (low Calcium level) at calving is associated with increased fat mobilization but was not associated with clinical mastitis. (Source: Chamberlin, J. from Univ. Missouri at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
2. Milk Fever & Mastitis: Clinical Milk Fever is associated with mastitis but there is a lack of research focused on subclinical milk fever and mastitis. (Source: Chamberlin, J. from Univ. Missouri at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)

DRY COW SELECTIVE TREATMENT:
1. Use of On-Farm Culture for Selective Treatment: On-farm culture using 3M Petrifilms may be an effective tool for selective treatment provided the user is properly trained. (Source: MacDonald, K, from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
2. Use of 3M Petrifilms for Selective Treatment: Use of 3M Petrifilms to identify mastitis pathogen resulted in a substantial decrease in primary antibiotic use. (Source: MacDonald, K, from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

GOATS & MASTITIS:
1. Genetics & SCC: There appears to be a relationship between estimated breeding value for SCC and mastitis infections in goats. (Source: McDougall, S. from Morrisville Animal Health Center in New Zealand at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)

HEIFER MASTITIS:
1. Strep. uberis: See Strep. uberis comments below
2. Milk ProductionMastitis during udder development may cause long-term reduction in milk yield. (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
3. Milk ProductionMastitis in heifers around calving will likely affect first lactation milk yield. (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)

MONITORING MASTITIS:
1. Changes in Mastitis Level: Key mastitis parameters to monitor herd level, include number of new infections, number of chronic infections, and number of infections in fresh cows. (Source: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)

ORGANIC DAIRIES & MASTITIS:
1. Organic Treatments: Some products used in organic herds are being sold (and purchased) without any data showing effectiveness. (Source: Barlow, J. from Univ. of Vermont at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)
2. Organic Treatments: Residue issues are a concern that must be addressed for certain products used. (Source: Barlow, J. from Univ. of Vermont at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)
3. Organic & Conventional Bulk Tank Milk: There was similar Bulk Tank Milk quality in the 95 organic and 51 conventional herds in WI study although management practices differed. (Source: Weix, R. from Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)

PAIN RELIEF & MASTITIS:
1. Pain Indicator Tools: Pain indicator tools may accurately detect discomfort associated with mastitis and may be used in future to administer pain relieving medications. (Source: Fitzpatrick, C. from Univ. of Guelph at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)

PATHOGENS:
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS or Staph. species)
1. Teat Dipping: Teat dipping will control CNS infections. (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
2. Heifers & Calving: CNS are the most common bacteria isolated from heifer milk around calving. (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
3. CNS & Clinical Mastitis: CNS usually causes subclinical or mild clinical mastitis. Can persist for several months. (Source: Simojoki, H. from Univ. of Helsinki at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
4. CNS & Staph. epidermidis: Staph. epidermidis is one of the most common species of CNS. (Source: Simojoki, H. from Univ. of Helsinki at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

Klebsiella
1. Characteristics: Klebsiella mastitis can be severe or chronic. It has a low cure rate, can be long duration, associated with production loss (Source: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

2. Risk Factors: Bedding is a risk factor for Klebsiella but not the only one. Manure is important. Dirty cows have more Klebsiella. Cleanliness of pens, alleys are crucial. (Source: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

Mycoplasma
1. Detection: Not all milk samples from Bulk Tank Milk were positive for Mycoplasma for both PCR and culture. (Source: Wilson, D. from Utah State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
2. Detection: PCR and cultures for Mycoplasma in milk had nearly 80% agreement, and sensitivities were not significantly different. (Source: Wilson, D. from Utah State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
3. Characteristics & Detection: Mycoplasma's slow growth and specific nutritional requirements in culture are impediments to identifying the organism in the lab. (Source: Boonyayatra, S. from Washington State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
4. Characteristics: Mycoplasma is considered a contagious mastitis pathogen. Characteristics include: no cell wall, smallest self-replicating organism. (Source: Boonyayatra, S. from Washington State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

Prototheca
1. Characteristics: Prototheca are single cell pathogenic algae. They sometimes cause clinical mastitis and may be found in water, bedding, manure. (Source: Britten, A. from Udder Health Systems (Idaho) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
2. Herd Outbreak on 3000 Cow Dairy: Prototheca could not be identified from environmental sources. (Source: Britten, A. from Udder Health Systems (Idaho) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
3. Herd Outbreak on 3000 Cow Dairy: Subclinically infected cows appeared to be the reservoir for Prototheca mastitis in the herd - cow to cow tranfer. (Source: Britten, A. from Udder Health Systems (Idaho) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

Staphylococcus aureus
1. Vaccination: No vaccines are currently available that reliably prevent Staph. aureus mastitis. The first S. aureus vaccine was attempted in 1966. (Source: Luby, C. from Univ. Saskatchewan at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
2. Agglutination Tests for Pathogen ID: Evaluated performance of 3 agglutination tests to identify Staph. aureus. Tests are quick and easy but interpretation differs between tests. (Source: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
3. Agglutination Tests for Pathogen ID: The tests correctly identified Staph. aureus isolated from cows with mastitis however there were false positives and false negatives. (Source: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

Streptococcus agalactiae
1. Strep ag in Columbia: Strep ag is a pathogen associated with the udder and does not survive long on other body sites or in environment. (Source: Keefe, G. from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
2. Strep ag in Columbia: The reservoir for Strep ag infections is the infected udder and shedding cows. (Source: Keefe, G. from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
3. Strep ag in Columbia: Programs can get rid of Strep ag in a dairy herd and unless infected animals are purchased, the herd can remain Strep ag free. (Source: Keefe, G. from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
4. Strep ag in Sweden: Mastitis caused by Strep ag is uncommon in Sweden, however several large herds have experienced problems. (Source: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. in Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
5. Strep ag in Sweden: In most of the herds (in Sweden), Strep. ag was introduced by purchased animals. (Source: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. in Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
6. Strep ag in Denmark: Bulk Tank Milk from all herds in Denmark are annually tested for Strep ag by bacterial culture. (Source: Katholm, J. from Knowledge Center for Ag, Cattle (Denmark) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

Streptococcus uberis
1. Calving Infections: Get rid of Strep uberis infections around calving! (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
2. Milk Production: Twin study showed heifers with Strep uberis infections around calving produced less milk than their uninfected twin. (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
3. Calving Infections - Clinical Mastitis: Ten % of cows experience clinical mastitis at calving in New Zealand. Seventy-five % of these clinical new infections are due to Strep uberis. (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
4. Transfer of Strep uberis: Research has focused on how contagious organisms like Staph aureus get into the udder. Less is known about how Strep. uberis move from original source into the cow's udder. (Source: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
5. Strep uberis Risk & Prevalence: Strep uberis is a common environmental mastitis pathogen and a common cause of intramammary infections. (Source: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
6. Biofilms: Biofilms provide a sheltered and protected area for bacterial growth and allow them to be resistant to antibiotics. (Source: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
7. Biofilms: Strep uberis bacteria varies in its' ability to form biofilms. (Source: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
8. Biofilms: Many persistent/recurrent Strep uberis infections are attributed to formation of biofilms, or polymetric matrixes produced by bacterial colonies. (Source: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)
9. Vaccination: Currently there is no commercially available Strep uberis vaccine. (Source: Nickerson, S. from Univ. Georgia at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)

RAW MILK SALES & REGULATIONS:
1. Raw Milk Sales: There is large variation among states in the U.S. for testing requirements for milk to be sold directly as non-pasteurized milk. SCC limits range from less than 500,000 to greater than 1-million (Source: Open Discussion at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)
2. Raw Milk Position Statement: The NMC has a position statement on raw milk. NMC Raw Milk Position Statement (Source: Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 21, 2011)

REPRODUCTION & MASTITIS:
1. Association with Mastitis: Mastitis goes beyond milk quality. There is a link between reproduction and udder health (Source: Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, 2011. RT@DCRCouncil.  Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 26, 2011)

SOMATIC CELL COUNT:
1. Canada & SCC Level: Did you know that the SCC limit in Canada will drop from 500,000 to 400,000 in August 2012. (Source: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)
2. Herd SCC Goal & Regulations: If you want to beat the 400,000 SCC limit, your optimal bulk tank SCC goal should be between 50,000 and 200,000. (Source: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)
3. Low SCC & Impact: It is virtually impossible for cows to have an SCC that is too low. (Source: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)
4. Change in U.S. SCC Requirement: USDA is circulating a new draft on 400,000 SCC requirement. (Source: Dairy Today on agweb.com. RT by Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)
5. SCC & Global Testing: The number of SCC tests done globally is estimated as more than 500-million per year. (Source: Orlandini, S. from Assoc. of Italian Breeders. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)

ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT & PATHOGENS:
1. Use of Ultra Violet Light: Technology has promise for extending shelf life and improving milk safety. (Source: Cullor, J. from School of Vet. Med. UC-Davis at AABP-NMC, 2011. Twitter@QualityMilk (NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)