tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3392636830031151252024-03-12T21:06:46.945-04:00Milk Quality PaysSandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-82416010381227990772013-01-06T17:48:00.002-05:002013-01-06T17:48:57.363-05:00Milking Gloves & Mastitis ControlThe National Mastitis Council recommends that strong and thin disposable gloves, similar to what surgeons and health professionals wear in the hospital, be worn by everyone doing the milking on-farm. The purpose is to reduce the chance of spreading mastitis from an infected cow to a non-infected cow. Despite this recommendation and research data demonstrating their importance in mastitis control, there are still dairies and workers on dairies that do not use milking gloves.<br />
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It is important that everyone performing milking tasks wear disposable gloves designed for milking. This includes not only those workers stripping milk from cows but those people hanging milking units and especially those people checking for and treating mastitis. It is also recommended that gloves be sanitized periodically and changed as needed. Gloves should be thrown away at least after each milking ends and new and clean gloves worn at the beginning of the next milking. At larger dairies, depending on number of cows and hygiene in the parlor, at a minimum, gloves should be thrown away and new ones worn as each cow group is changed. In some cases, gloves may need to be replaced more frequently depending on type of infections, number of mastitis infected cows or hygiene of cows in the parlor. If drop hoses or spray bottles with disinfectant are available, gloves may be disinfected and thoroughly dried after handling mastitis cows and when gloves appear visually dirty, instead of replacing them with clean gloves. A key when disinfecting dirty gloves is to thoroughly clean and dry the gloved hands.<br />
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Although it seems like common sense, procedures are often implemented on dairies so that milking gloves are replaced by workers on a set schedule rather than when gloves appear dirty. This reduces the chance that a workers interpretation of ‘dirty’ is different than their supervisor’s interpretation of ‘dirty’. This may mean replacing gloves after each group, after working with any mastitis cow, before sampling milk for on-farm milk culture, after a certain number of cows or parlor sides are milked, when returning to the parlor or barn after moving cows, etc. Any procedure can work as long as gloves stay clean, the procedure is simple and procedure is followed by everyone. Keeping track of number of gloves used over a month may help monitor adherence to the procedure.<br />
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There are many different types of disposable milking gloves available and in many different sizes from very small to very large. On most farms, several size disposable gloves will be needed to accommodate hand size of different workers. In order to palpate the udder carefully to check for mastitis or to clean the teat and teat end thoroughly, the gloves should be sized to fit the individual worker. Floppy gloves on fingers make it difficult to do the job of milking well. Disposable milking gloves should also be thin so that the worker can feel the udder and teat through the properly sized glove. Quality milking gloves are thin but made so they don’t tear easily and will withstand milking.<br />
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It is important to store milking gloves in a location where the new gloves remain clean during and between milkings. In addition, if milkers are required to change gloves within a single milking, the gloves should be accessible during milking so that time is not required to find and get new/clean gloves. Plastic boxes with a lid sized for milking gloves can be useful for storing clean gloves. Several plastic containers may be needed to accommodate various sizes of gloves. It is important to keep the container clean, at least between milkings so that hands do not become dirty when accessing the clean gloves.<br />
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The reason for wearing gloves and their impact on disease control may seem pretty obvious but there are still farmers and workers who do not wear gloves for various reasons. Some dairies also reuse disposable gloves from milking to milking in order to ‘save money’. Most people milking have chapped hands that often become more rough and chapped over the winter months. The principle behind chapped hands is similar to the relationship between chapped teats and bacteria. It is more difficult to clean teats that are rough. Rough skin whether on the hands of the milker or teats of the cow, tend to harbor more bacteria, including both contagious and non-contagious types. Although risk of spreading contagious bacteria in the herd is more likely when milking with non-gloved hands, non-contagious bacteria, like E. coli may also be spread in a similar way. It is difficult to keep rough hands clean, like chapped teats, and chapped hands tend to contain more Staphylococcal bacteria like Staph. species and Staph. aureus that cause mastitis.<br />
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The more mastitis-causing bacteria in the environment of the cow, whether on the milkers’ hands or bedding material will increase the risk that the non-infected cow will become a mastitis cow. Use of clean milking gloves to perform milking tasks will reduce the chance of spreading bacteria from a mastitis cow to a non-infected cow. This in-turn will help to reduce the risk of mastitis in the dairy herd.<br />
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Medical professionals wear gloves when working with human patients in order to protect themselves and their patients. Hospital patients infected with Methicillin Resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA), are often separated from non-infected patients. The reason is to reduce the chance of infecting patients that do not have this particular disease. Medical professionals are required to wear protective clothing and put on clean gloves while working with the MRSA infected patient. When finished working with the MRSA patient, they are then required to dispose of their gloves, and disinfect their hands. When moving to the next patient, new disposable gloves are supposed to be worn. Many other diseases in hospitals, including viral and bacterial diseases can be spread by the medical professional to the diseased and non-diseased patient. Use of disposable gloves is a control procedure that is mandated to reduce the chance of spreading disease. The same rational, with research to validate its importance, applies to use of milking gloves on the dairy. The purpose is identical – to reduce chance of spreading disease from a diseased or mastitis cow to a non-infected cow.<br />
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Use of milking gloves is proven to work as one part of the control process to reduce spread of mastitis-causing bacteria if done correctly.
Use of milking gloves alone will not prevent new cases of mastitis. However, when used properly, and with good hygiene, including disinfecting and/or replacing gloves as needed, gloves can decrease the chance of spreading bacteria causing mastitis to non-infected cows. It is important that milking gloves are sized properly for each person milking and clean gloves are readily accessible to milkers’ as they are needed. It is also important to use milking gloves and practice good hygiene while working with fresh cows and mastitis cows. Clean milking gloves will reduce the chance of spreading infections within all groups of milking cows on the farm. When level of mastitis, especially contagious bacteria is higher, it becomes especially important to practice good hygiene which should include frequent replacement and disinfection of milking gloves.
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Dr. Sandy Costello is owner and mastitis/milk quality specialist at Milk Quality Pays and provides on-farm milk quality consulting, training, and product and applied research to aid producer decisions. The mission of Milk Quality Pays is to ensure clients produce and sell milk of the highest quality while maximizing profitability from milk income and maximizing customer assurance of product quality, safety, and worker & animal well-being. Dr. Costello can be reached at 570-768-6140 or scostello@milkqualitypays.com.<br />
<br />Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-60660990924003486082012-09-10T13:16:00.000-04:002012-09-10T13:16:44.682-04:00Coliform Vaccines & Mastitis Control<br />
If your mastitis prevention program doesn’t include vaccinating for coliform mastitis, it probably should. The following article describes the basics of coliform mastitis, research on coliform vaccines, and differences between the products currently available for purchase.<br />
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Coliform mastitis is mainly caused by E. coli, Klebsiella, and Enterobacter bacteria. E. coli and Klebsiella are the most common causes of coliform infections. Differences between bacterial strains within the ‘coliform’ bacteria, as well as differences in how cows respond to coliform infections, leads to variation in symptoms and milk appearance. Most often, farmers and their advisors diagnose coliform cases when the cow has ‘hot’, watery mastitis in early lactation. Both E. coli and Klebsiella can cause severe cow symptoms, however, research suggests Klebsiella mastitis more often leads to a cow’s dying or being culled. Coliforms can also cause long-term chronic infections leading to eventual cow culling because of low production and/or high SCC.<br />
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Coliform mastitis infections are often associated with substantial loss of milk production. Lactation infections typically occur before peak milk and likely have an impact on milk producing cells of the infected quarter(s). Coliform mastitis is most often a problem in the late dry period, around calving, and within the first 90-days of lactation. Risk of coliform mastitis also increases in the summer-time or during wet conditions compared with winter or dry weather conditions. Most herds have at least periodic issues with coliform mastitis in early lactation.<br />
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Strategies to prevent coliforms are mainly hygiene related – bedding management during the dry period, heifer rearing period, pre-calving, and early lactation. Completeness of cleaning and drying teat ends before milking is another control strategy that is believed to reduce risk of coliform mastitis. Organic bedding types are most commonly associated with coliform mastitis, particularly wet bedding and wet sawdust. However, studies also found Klebsiella in sand bedding, especially associated with bedding maintenance programs that pull contaminated sand from base layers up to the top of the bedding and also programs using bedding retainers at back of stalls to reduce use of bedding.<br />
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Coliform mastitis vaccine use is an additional control strategy that can reduce herd risk of coliform mastitis. Research has shown that for herds with over 1% coliform mastitis, vaccine use is financially beneficial and was estimated to increase herd profits by $57 per lactation. Unfortunately, based on a USDA study – the National Animal Health Monitoring System (2007), the percent of farms using coliform vaccines is under 38%, despite being commercially available for a quarter of a century. Coliform vaccination is substantially higher in herds over 500 cows compared with mid-size and small herds and may reflect ability to comply with need for multiple injections during the dry period, or perceived cost versus benefit (See Figure 1).<br />
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<div style="font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
Figure 1. NAHMS Survey of Coliform Vaccine Use by Herd Size (2007)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLDIPaAjEiDtz_IodOYq5THMYWLIMXd1aWqPZz2K59Sm6JUgNLICdt1hviwGP3iS8izP4NNrndIrit48JFlIhXzhBwheZO2HaCp2Lau9W6xpLhIrNnk2nWF3_byrpV-A3fjQc7pr-7KJE/s1600/2007_coliform-vaccine_use_chart.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJLDIPaAjEiDtz_IodOYq5THMYWLIMXd1aWqPZz2K59Sm6JUgNLICdt1hviwGP3iS8izP4NNrndIrit48JFlIhXzhBwheZO2HaCp2Lau9W6xpLhIrNnk2nWF3_byrpV-A3fjQc7pr-7KJE/s320/2007_coliform-vaccine_use_chart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are currently three Coliform Vaccines marketed in the U.S. (See Table 1). These vaccines are similar in that they contain what is called a rough (“R”) mutant bacteria that provides protection against infections caused by a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria. Two R-mutant bacteria are used in coliform vaccines, ‘E. coli O111:B4’ is marketed by Pfizer as J-5™ and Merial as J-VAC®, and ‘Salmonella typhimurium Re-17’, is marketed by ImmVac as Endovac Bovi®. The rough mutants have exposed core antigens which stimulate antibody production by the cow which act quickly in the case of new infections and are intended to reduce the symptoms of clinical coliform mastitis. Most studies have shown that new infections are not prevented but the impact of infections on milk production and duration of infections is reduced. Data is available for all three products to demonstrate efficacy against coliform mastitis. Recent studies show that the impact of the vaccine is reduced as time from last vaccination is increased. For example, a study that evaluated 2 injections of J-VAC, at dry-off and around calving showed that efficacy of the vaccine decreased as days in milk increased beyond 50 days.<br />
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The vaccines differ slightly in the label recommendations for use. A summary of key points, including label directions, dose, and indications for use can be found in Table 1. In addition, more information can be found on the company websites provided at the bottom of this post. Prices for products were found on a veterinary supply company website (See Table 2) and are intended to demonstrate similarities in price despite some differences in recommended protocol. Cost varies from $2.55 to $4.92 before shipping (mail order) for the entire protocol per cow for the lactation. Prices vary with quantity or size of bottle purchased. The price for the vaccine is very minimal compared with the cost of clinical coliform mastitis.<br />
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<div style="font-size: 9pt; text-align: center;">
Table 1. Commercial Coliform Vaccines available in the U.S.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyDNVkD1MW5ZNpYfb-k9Ed_YyVVUAkW3mQXnIdWFboUXPsXW3DfB_rQHg6BosQ0eU7GjrIffB4goY4YCzMgniLMCD4L4jHg0Ffj_U5zqBxp7UIyK8ZtOE6VUi-ciPIeoMTmvZ7YYE9j5L/s1600/Coliform_vaccine_products.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: -1.7em; margin-right: -.7em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyDNVkD1MW5ZNpYfb-k9Ed_YyVVUAkW3mQXnIdWFboUXPsXW3DfB_rQHg6BosQ0eU7GjrIffB4goY4YCzMgniLMCD4L4jHg0Ffj_U5zqBxp7UIyK8ZtOE6VUi-ciPIeoMTmvZ7YYE9j5L/s400/Coliform_vaccine_products.jpg" width="435" /></a></div>
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Table 2. Mastitis Coliform Vaccine Purchase Price Economics</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3rGD0wEgwA4wBiSrRI47M41jctkf-ZBVb_dGnfovKvMQHSYp9oa-JrXGe8UH0Dr3YbnL0kSp0VexAriErmCjliUUsSx2SMrvLZlPmrMrVovQnHLUt-26aQ6pYlLb13aL1J6HNkp1k4w7/s1600/Pricing_table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: -1.7em; margin-right: -.7em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3rGD0wEgwA4wBiSrRI47M41jctkf-ZBVb_dGnfovKvMQHSYp9oa-JrXGe8UH0Dr3YbnL0kSp0VexAriErmCjliUUsSx2SMrvLZlPmrMrVovQnHLUt-26aQ6pYlLb13aL1J6HNkp1k4w7/s400/Pricing_table.jpg" width="435" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394;">Prices were obtained from an online animal health supply company on Sept 5, 2012. Prices do not include shipping costs. Alternative bottle sizes may be available in some cases and from different suppliers. Prices are used to provide a comparative idea of purchase price. It is important to choose a bottle size that will be used quickly upon opening. Only buy what you will use within a short period of time. It is important to buy from a company or person who understands the importance of quality handling of vaccines. Vaccine should be kept out of direct sunlight, refrigerated and used quickly once opened. Always check the expiration dates before purchasing and using vaccine. Don’t use after expiration date unless you like to lose money twice – the bottle of vaccine and the down cow with enterotoxemia due to useless vaccine.</span></div>
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Good vaccine management is essential when using coliform vaccines like all other vaccine products. Only buy what you will use within a relatively short time period and check expiration dates before use. Keep vaccines out of direct sunlight and refrigerate after opening. Do not use vaccine on cows with mastitis or other diseases at the time you would normally vaccinate. Boosters are essential to vaccine performance so make sure second or third shots are scheduled and given according to label directions.<br />
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Coliform mastitis can be expensive. Estimates for cost of a single case range from $100 to over $300. Research on coliform vaccines suggest that their use can be an effective strategy to reduce severity of clinical symptoms and reduce impact of coliform mastitis on milk production, duration of symptoms, and risk of culling cows with clinical coliform mastitis in early lactation. Vaccines should be used in conjunction with good bedding and hygiene management during lactation, the dry period, and around calving for maximal herd protection against coliform mastitis.<br />
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For more information see the following websites and discuss options with your udder health advisor.<br />
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Company Labels:<br />
<ul>
<li>IMMVAC: ENDOVAC-Bovi® </li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://immvac.com/endovac-bovi-dairy/">http://immvac.com/endovac-bovi-dairy/</a></li>
</ul>
<li>Merial: J-VAC® </li>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://us.merial.com/producers/dairy/products/dairy_JVAC.asp">http://us.merial.com/producers/dairy/products/dairy_JVAC.asp</a></li>
</ul>
<li>Pfizer: J-5 BacterinTM </li>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://animalhealth.pfizer.com/sites/pahweb/US/EN/Products/Pages/ESCHERICHIACOLIBACTERIN-J5STRAIN.aspx">https://animalhealth.pfizer.com/sites/pahweb/US/EN/Products/Pages/ESCHERICHIACOLIBACTERIN-J5STRAIN.aspx</a></li>
</ul>
</ul>
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Dr. Sandy Costello is owner and mastitis/milk quality specialist at Milk Quality Pays and provides on-farm milk quality consulting, training, and product and applied research to aid producer decisions. The mission of Milk Quality Pays is to ensure clients produce and sell milk of the highest quality while maximizing profitability from milk income and maximizing customer assurance of product quality, safety, and worker & animal well-being. Dr. Costello can be reached at 570-768-6140 or scostello@milkqualitypays.com.<br />
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Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-42338667499315052402012-06-21T10:33:00.000-04:002012-06-21T10:33:47.849-04:00Dry Period - Part 3: Dry-off Methods -- Does Milk Production Level Matter? (continued)<hr />
<i><b>Keys To Milk Quality</b></i><br />
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As described previously, dry period management is a current research focus for mastitis scientists. Ways to fine-tune feeding, promote cow comfort and well-being, and otherwise manage the dry period to minimize new mastitis infections and maximize cure rate of existing mastitis infections are being re-investigated under current farm conditions. This is the last article to focus specifically on dry-off methods and describes findings from some of the recent research.<br />
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Survey of Existing Dry-Off Methods</span></b><br />
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Until 2010, no published surveys were done to see how producers manage cow Dry-Offs. A survey by Rajala-Schultz and co-workers at Ohio State found that only 18% of dairies (69 of 385 farms) considered milk production of individual cows in their Dry-Off decisions. Eighty-eight percent said that expected calving date was the only criteria used to determine time to Dry-Off cows. When asked about specific Dry-Off decisions, 20% of dairies reported decreasing ration energy level as an aid to Dry-Off and dry period mastitis control. Seventy-two percent of dairies reported using abrupt Dry-Off method instead of intermittent Dry-Off method. Only twenty percent of dairies milked cows 1-time per day before Dry-Off. The survey also found that larger dairies appeared to use abrupt Dry-Off more often and dried cows off at higher milk production than smaller herds. The reasons for decisions associated with Dry-Off were not studied. The findings indicate that few herd managers, especially on larger dairies, Dried-Off cows intermittently or decreased ration energy level before Dry-Off. The survey also indicates that calving date was the main criteria used by most dairies when determining date to Dry-Off cows.<br />
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Informal mastitis risk assessments in south central Pennsylvania of 200 dairies from 2008 to 2012 agree with these findings. With the exception of a few dairies with less than 100 cows, few herds indicated milking cows intermittently before Dry-Off or decreasing energy density of the ration for the week before calving. In dairies using intermittent Dry-Off, the method was only used for select cows with high milk production, or a history of leaking milk, and not as a whole herd strategy to reduce new infection risk in the early dry period. Although not a formal study, abrupt Dry-Off appears to be most popular as an across herd strategy in Pennsylvania and agrees with survey findings from Ohio State.<br />
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So why is abrupt Dry-Off used on most dairies despite research indicating a positive benefit from reducing production in the last week of lactation? I can guess but don’t know for sure. Because of changes to dry period management practices following the original research, additional studies are needed to evaluate the benefits of intermittent Dry-Off compared with abrupt Dry-Off on new infection rates in the early dry-period.
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">New & On-Going Studies </span></b><br />
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A large project with several individual studies is currently on-going at Ohio State. Project findings should provide improved best management practices for Dry-Off. Variations in procedures, facilities, and cows will help to develop best methods on individual dairies to reduce new mastitis infections between dry-off and calving. For intermittent Dry-Off to be economically justified, it must provide economic benefit to compensate for additional labor requirements. Economic merit will likely vary by farm and will take longer to prove.<br />
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<i><b>A herd study was reported in 2005 by Rajala-Schultz and co-workers at Ohio State</b></i> and re-examined the effect of Dry-Off method – abrupt versus intermittent on new mastitis infections. Researchers studied 112 Dry-Offs at a single dairy to evaluate the impact of dry-off method. Cows were Holstein or Jersey and were seasonally grazed. Housing was the same before and after Dry-off. The 56 cows Dried-Off abruptly were housed in tie-stalls in the first year and Free-stalls in the second-year of the study due to management changes at the dairy. The 56 cows Dried-Off intermittently were housed in Free-stalls. Ration changes were not made before Dry-Off so only milking frequency was evaluated. All other conditions were similar between treatment groups so that only Dry-Off method could be evaluated. Bacterial cultures and somatic cell count (SCC) tests on cow and quarter milk samples, collected 3-days after calving, were used to determine impact of Dry-Off method.<br />
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Researchers found that higher milk production was associated with risk for new environmental mastitis infections. For every 11-pound increase in milk production above 27.5 pounds, the odds of a cow having an environmental mastitis infection increased by 77%. There did not appear to be an increased risk of a cow having a Staph species infection at calving when milk production was higher at Dry-Off. When only cows with environmental mastitis infections were included in the analysis, cows with higher milk production at Dry-Off had 2.13-times greater odds of having an environmental mastitis infection compared with cows with lower milk production. Results suggested that increasing milk production at Dry-Off is an important factor affecting environmental mastitis level at calving.<br />
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<i><b>A 2010 study by Rajala-Schultz and co-workers </b></i>offers some confusion to answering the best Dry-Off method question. Similar to the previous study, Dry-Off method was evaluated in 112 Holstein and Jersey cows in a single herd. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of milk production and infection status between cows Dried-Off intermittently or abruptly.<br />
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Researchers found that the intermittent method was effective at reducing milk production level at Dry-Off compared with abrupt Dry-Off. In addition, quarters not infected before Dry-Off and producing more cumulative milk the week before Dry-Off had a greater chance of a new mastitis infection when evaluated at calving. Uninfected quarters from cows producing 36-pounds of milk per day over the last week before dry-off had significantly higher odds (7.05-times) of being infected compared with cows milking less than 23-pounds per day. The confusing portion of the study is that when both infected and non-infected quarters before Dry-Off were included in the analysis, Dry-Off method and milk yield at the end of lactation were not significantly associated with mastitis status at calving.<br />
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<i><b>The latest research by Rajala-Schultz’s team</b></i> took a novel approach to investigating Dry-Off methods. The team evaluated impact of abrupt Dry-Off on cow lying behavior immediately following Dry-Off. They expected cows Dried-Off abruptly would increase activity and decrease lying time of cows immediately after Dry-Off. They also expected that milk production level at Dry-Off would be partially responsible for change in lying behavior patterns. Eighteen cows were evaluated in three dairies in the summer of 2011. Activity sensors on cows’ hind legs 7-days before Dry-Off through 7-Days following Dry-Off were used to study lying behavior.<br />
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Researchers found that cows changed their lying habits following Dry-Off and there was substantial variation between herds. Across herds, standing time increased significantly and lying time decreased significantly following Dry-Off. Milk production level and lactation number were not significantly associated with lying behavior. Because number of study cows was small, this finding may be contested in future studies with more cows and greater variation in milk at Dry-Off. Herd differences in lying behavior after Dry-Off were attributed to likely housing and management differences. Although number of cows and especially number of herds was much too small to be conclusive, there was a statistically higher activity level and less lying time in barn-housed cows compared with cows on pasture all day following dry-off. Despite statistical significance, without more herds and cows within herd no conclusions can be drawn between the interaction of housing type and Dry-Off method on lying behavior. It will be very interesting however, to see future research findings and best methods that may be adopted to reduce new infection risk in the early dry-period while maintaining comfort of cows in this critical time period.<br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6;"><b>Article Highlights </b></span><br />
<ul>
<li>Milk production level appears to impact risk for new environmental mastitis infections following Dry-Off. Higher production is associated with increased risk of new mastitis infections in the early dry period and infections likely persist into early lactation.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Intermittent milking before Dry-Off is effective at reducing milk production level at Dry-Off.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Abrupt Dry-Off changes lying behavior of cows following Dry-Off and likely increases cow activity, while decreases lying time. Differences in housing and management practices within herd will likely affect importance to individual dairies.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Intermittent Dry-Off may be a useful best management practice in herds with higher milk production and cows with higher production at Dry-Off to reduce new infection risk for environmental mastitis.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Complete impact of Intermittent compared with Abrupt Dry-Off, including economic viability is not known at this time.</li>
</ul>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-44760048611245119582012-05-01T00:05:00.000-04:002012-05-01T00:05:10.626-04:00Dry Period – Part 2: Dry-Off Methods -- Does Milk Production Level Matter?<hr />
<i><b>Keys To Milk Quality</b></i><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly;">
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Introduction</span></b><o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
Part1 of the Dry Period series provided an overview of National Mastitis Council
(NMC) recommendations on best practices for a low level of mastitis cases over
the dry period and shortly after calving. The next few articles provide new
ideas and the nuts and bolts of how to plan for and make it happen. This
article focuses on management practices during the weeks leading up to Dry-Off.
Research on whether milk production level at Dry-Off matters, and whether
sudden stop to milking (abrupt), or slow-down to stop milking (intermittent), is
the better approach to meet mastitis and cow comfort goals.<o:p></o:p>
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<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">‘Old’ Research on Dry-Off Methods </span></b><br />
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A few studies in the 1950s through 1980s looked to see if milk production level
of cows at dry-off was important to new mastitis infections seen at the start
of the next lactation. The later studies looked at abrupt Dry-Off only, abrupt
Dry-Off combined with decreasing energy in the feed (medium quality hay fed
only), reduced milking frequency from 2-times-per day milking (2x-milking) to
1-time-per day milking (1x-milking) only, and reduced feed energy and
1x-milking combination.<br />
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Researchers found that production may be important and
that the combination of feeding medium quality hay only plus reducing milking
frequency to 1x-milking over the last week of milking appeared best. Use of
combined practices, intermittent milking plus reduced energy intake led to
significantly lower milk production at Dry-Off and fewer new mastitis
infections at the start of the next lactation. Cause and effect was not proven.
In other words, the drop in milk production was not proven to be responsible
for fewer new infections at next lactation.<br />
_______________<br />
<br />
University of Tennessee researchers, Oliver and co-workers, also
looked to see if concentration of bacteria-fighting compounds were higher in
milk of cows with reduced production at Dry-Off. Concentration of the
immunoglobulin, IgG; Lactoferrin, a compound that limits iron use by coliform
bacteria; and somatic cells, were highest at Dry-Off in cows Dried-Off with
combined practices of low-energy-diet, and 1x-milking. This finding provided a
possible biologic reason for the practical result and a probable cause.<br />
<br />
By reducing milk produced at Dry-Off, concentration of bacteria-fighting compounds
in the udder appears to be increased and may directly lead to fewer new
infections during the early dry period. Given that all other practices are good
to excellent over the entire dry period and early lactation (kept excellent or
controlled in the research), lower milk production at Dry-Off may lead to low
new mastitis infections after calving.<br />
<br />
Other factors that may also be involved,
such as inability of teat ends to close due to milk pressure in the udder,
reduced cow immune response due to physical stress were not studied, so no
additional conclusions could be made on whether other factors, also played a
combined role in reducing new infections in the early dry period.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">New Research in Process</span></b><br />
<br />
Based on this research before 1990, the NMC dry cow therapy fact sheet was revised to
indicate some of these findings (See: <a href="http://nmconline.org/drycow.htm">http://nmconline.org/drycow.htm</a>).
Specific NMC recommendations at Dry-Off include the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>Concentrate feeding of high producing cows
should be stopped two weeks before the anticipated Dry-Off date to reduce daily
milk yield (target milk yield: less than 35 lbs.-per-day) </li>
<li>A change in environment can also help reduce production </li>
<li>Abrupt end to milking is recommended when the target daily yield is achieved (less than 35 lbs.-per-day)</li>
<li>Intermittent milking along with a decrease in energy concentration of the ration can be used to achieve target yield</li>
</ul>
<br />
Use of the cut-off or threshold of 35-pounds of milk to make the decision on
whether to use abrupt vs. intermittent Dry-Off seems arbitrary and reasons for
the recommendation are not known. Because cows, facilities, and management
practices continually change, and controlled studies have not been done on
commercial dairies, more detailed studies over a variety of current on-farm situations
are needed.<br />
<br />
In addition, no research until recently looked at the impact of
abrupt compared with intermittent Dry-Off from a cow comfort and animal
well-being perspective. No one has evaluated economics of practices, (e.g.,
regrouping cows, labor costs, error in procedures, etc.) to determine if
benefit is worth added costs of intermittent compared with abrupt Dry-Off.
<br />
<br />
A group of researchers at Ohio State Department of Veterinary Preventive
Medicine, led by Rajala-Schultz are currently looking at Dry-Off methods from a
mastitis control and animal well-being standpoint. The studies are funded by
USDA and will not be finished for another few years. However, there is some
great data from reported research that support previous work and further
suggest intermittent milking before Dry-Off may be best.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Article Highlights:
</span></b><br />
<ul>
<li>Milk production at Dry-Off probably affects
new mastitis infection risk in early dry period leading to new infections in
next lactation</li>
<li>Lower milk production appears to be better to reduce new infections and is partially due to higher concentration of immunoglobulin, IgG; higher Lactoferrin, and higher somatic cell levels</li>
<li>To date, there is limited research to give an
exact milk production cut-off (e.g., 35 lbs.) for decision to use abrupt vs.
intermittent Dry-Off</li>
<li>Dry-Off Method is currently being studied at
Ohio State University to further understand if method used affects new mastitis
in the early dry period or cow comfort</li>
<li>Part 3 in the Dry Period series will provide
more evidence suggesting intermittent Dry-Off may be better than abrupt Dry-Off</li>
</ul>
<br />
<hr />
Dr.Sandy Costello is owner and mastitis/milk quality specialist at Milk Quality
Pays and provides on-farm milk quality consulting, training, and product and
applied research to aid producer decisions. The mission of Milk Quality Pays is
to ensure clients produce and sell milk of the highest quality while maximizing
profitability from milk income and maximizing customer assurance of product
quality, safety, and worker & animal well-being. Dr. Costello can be
reached at 570-768-6140 or scostello@milkqualitypays.com.<o:p></o:p>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-17849813448120452612012-04-02T10:35:00.000-04:002012-04-02T10:35:06.268-04:00Recommended Mastitis Control Program - Keys To Milk Quality<hr /><i><b>Part 1: Dry Period</b></i><br />
<hr /><br />
One of the greatest contributions from the National Mastitis Council has been the 10-point mastitis control program. This plan provides a complete checklist for comparing your farm mastitis control practices with NMC recommendations. <br />
<br />
Future milk quality articles will use this 10-point mastitis control plan as a guide through the key elements to producing quality milk. The first few articles will focus on the dry period – one of the most important times for strategic mastitis control planning and action. This article provides a general overview of critical mastitis control practices during the dry period.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Why Dry Period Mastitis Control Strategies are Important</i></span><br />
<br />
The dry cow period, specifically, time periods from dry-off to two weeks after dry-off, and two weeks before and after calving are most critical for prevention of new mastitis infections (Figure 1). <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxEF37SMtPc50omcfYXc-G7jxWrC1Od_XdjLlWVb11NooLtmW1hQTSprTgCdZ_pVoGXlNMm0wb5X7aqKSBTt7NlF-EAVO6XyOGfY-FBjrrA03yV78I3p9SAz3c25cFQ0atDHbi2AOygRm/s1600/dry-period_graph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: -.5em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJxEF37SMtPc50omcfYXc-G7jxWrC1Od_XdjLlWVb11NooLtmW1hQTSprTgCdZ_pVoGXlNMm0wb5X7aqKSBTt7NlF-EAVO6XyOGfY-FBjrrA03yV78I3p9SAz3c25cFQ0atDHbi2AOygRm/s400/dry-period_graph.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Figure 1.</div><br />
By nature and just when it is most important, cows have the worst ability to fight off bacteria in the environment at these times of the dry period. Herd conditions are primed for new mastitis infections unless attention is paid to key practices and strategies to maintain low new infection rates, and reduce existing mastitis by curing infections in chronic mastitis cows. <br />
<br />
The overall goal of the dry period is to prepare cows well for calving, and create conditions for optimum production and well-being in the next lactation. To meet this overall goal, sub-goals likely include: negligible new mastitis cases during the dry period; high cure rate of existing infections; no measurable physical discomfort of cows through dry-off and dry period; maintenance of body condition; conditions that enable all mastitis control practices to work well, including vaccinations, teat sealant, antibiotic treatment, nutrition, etc.; and a positive benefit to cost ratio for decisions.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>Dynamics of Infections</i></span><br />
<br />
To evaluate effectiveness of dry period mastitis control decisions it is important to record and track how many cows are not infected (clean) and how many are infected going into the dry period and then again after freshening. It is also important to calculate historic rate of new infections and cure rates in dry cows and springers (heifers) over the last 3-months, 6-months, 9-months, and year. This will provide a baseline of how your herd has done and periods of challenge.<br />
<br />
Large herds may have enough freshenings to reduce these intervals to cows freshening in a given month. The objective of choosing evaluation periods is to have sufficient number of animals to be meaningful and recent enough to reflect current practices and pinpoint periods of variation from the norm for your herd. Goals should be set to improve upon what has happened in the past and using documented achievable goals as a reference. <br />
<br />
Most control strategies are designed to prevent cows from getting new infections during the dry period, while others are designed to eliminate or cure existing mastitis cases. Cows with existing mastitis at dry-off are ones that did not cure during lactation and require an opportunity to cure between lactations. Hopefully they are also cows that warrant additional costs to cure existing infections. Factors such as how long cows have been infected; number of quarters infected; organism (e.g., bacteria) responsible; damage to teat end and teat canal; cow’s health and immune status; and antibiotic used for dry cow treatment, will determine the chance that existing infections will cure over the dry period and before the next lactation.<br />
<br />
Herd goals should be unique to herd conditions and should be set for new infections and cures based on current level of infection in the herd and to improve upon previous baseline levels. As a general guideline and at minimum, 85% or more of cows should freshen without a mastitis infection. Goals at 90% and above would be considered excellent. Cure rates are more difficult to provide standards for herd use, as levels will vary within a herd by many factors, including those mentioned previously.<br />
<br />
In general, cure rates of existing infections should be above 60% with 70% and higher considered excellent. If long-term chronic mastitis cases have been removed from the herd and ‘existing cases group’ consists mainly of shorter-term chronic mastitis cases and younger animals, the cure rates should be higher and goal rate for cures should be adjusted accordingly. In this case, cure rates of chronic mastitis cases during the dry period may be as high as 80 to 90 percent. If not, adjustments may need to be made to mastitis control program during lactation as well as possibly the dry period to achieve higher cure rates and further reduce new infections during the dry period. Without measuring these values you are assuming that all mastitis control expenses are worthwhile and will not benefit from fine-tuning based on herd unique characteristics and changes over time.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0b5394;"><i>NMC Recommendations for Dry Period</i></span><br />
<br />
Future articles will provide more in-depth background on individual elements of the dry cow management mastitis control program. For now, the elements are listed with a brief statement on purpose and whether the overall purpose is for prevention of new cases of mastitis, for cure of existing cases, or both. This becomes important when evaluating effectiveness of dry period control elements on intended outcome. Indirectly, all best management practices will likely impact cure rates of cows with pre-existing infections. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2bHDyim_yitcZVho60ZyVumypRIivkezFOQ-JelW8CBDCg_MzvLO-J-dLhOzA7xT4vxBFHwrFeuN24vrvEe1ex_fWOgFVxtO5qAR6T9LKN5swxqhqAZ-6veL2c1mLm3i2BX3nAaPnwDQ/s1600/NMC_Mastitis-Control-Program.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: -3.2em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd2bHDyim_yitcZVho60ZyVumypRIivkezFOQ-JelW8CBDCg_MzvLO-J-dLhOzA7xT4vxBFHwrFeuN24vrvEe1ex_fWOgFVxtO5qAR6T9LKN5swxqhqAZ-6veL2c1mLm3i2BX3nAaPnwDQ/s640/NMC_Mastitis-Control-Program.JPG" width="467" /></a></div><br />
SUMMARY<br />
• Goals for dry period mastitis should be set based on herd baseline levels with eye to industry guidelines<br />
• Planning, acting, and evaluating are essential steps for dry period mastitis control<br />
• Dry period is the time period of greatest risk for new mastitis infections and for curing existing infections in your herd<br />
• Economics and best decisions can only be evaluated when dry period mastitis control is planned rather than just happens<br />
The Milk Quality article in April will focus on recent research findings on dry-off methods.<br />
The NMC Mastitis Control Program is available at the following website:<br />
http://nmconline.org/docs/NMCchecklistNA.pdf <br />
<br />
=======================================================<br />
Dr. Sandy Costello is owner and mastitis/milk quality specialist at Milk Quality Pays and provides on-farm milk quality consulting, training, and product and applied research to aid producer decisions. The mission of Milk Quality Pays is to ensure clients produce and sell milk of the highest quality while maximizing profitability from milk income and maximizing customer assurance of product quality, safety, and worker & animal well-being. Dr. Costello can be reached at 570-768-6140 or scostello@milkqualitypays.com.Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-19780793902963424852012-03-04T14:00:00.000-05:002012-03-04T14:00:37.198-05:00The European Union Export Requirements for Milk Quality<span style="font-size: large;">And What This Means for You</span><br />
<hr /><br />
The upcoming change to the European Union (EU) milk quality requirements for U.S. produced and exported milk has gotten lots of attention in the last 6-months. On paper, the regulations may appear only slightly different than in the past. Producers who sell milk to processors that do not export milk may believe the changes won’t affect them. However, the new regulations could result in real short and long-term milk quality implications for most dairy farms.<br />
<br />
This article presents what we know about the new EU milk quality export requirements. It also describes the difference between the EU regulation and the U.S. Pasteurized Milk Ordinance. General information on how milk processors are handling the new regulations is also included. In this article, the term milk processor is used broadly and includes milk buyer, milk supplier, milk plant, and milk cooperative.<br />
<br />
It is important to talk with your own milk processor about specific impact of regulations for your farm and based on your farm’s history of milk quality. Each processor that exports milk must meet minimum mandated requirements. Processors that do not export milk are not required by law to follow the new EU Regulation but will continue to follow the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance as a minimum requirement.<br />
<br />
Many specialists believe that all processors whether directly exporting product or not will follow suit and require individual dairies to meet the EU regulations as a minimum requirement. In fact, many milk processors currently have similar regulations for their individual producer dairies or have incentives in place to encourage producers to meet or exceed these same milk quality standards. The goal of this article is to aid understanding so you can better ask questions of milk quality advisors and can prepare for potential impact of the new EU regulations on your dairy or client’s dairies.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">What is the new EU Milk Quality Requirement?</span><br />
<br />
The EU requirement starts April 1, 2012. Individual dairies are being given between January 1, 2012 and March 31, 2012 to meet this requirement. The EU regulation states that all milk to be exported from the U.S. to any member or allied EU country must meet milk quality standards of somatic cell count (SCC) and bacteria count (Standard Plate Count = SPC) of less than 400,000 cells/ml and 100,000 cfu/ml, respectively.<br />
<br />
The main difference between the new and previous EU regulation is that the requirement is now for milk from individual dairies and not for pooled milk (multiple dairies) from the processor. In the past, milk could be collected from several farms and as long as the average of what was exported to the EU met the quality regulations, the milk or milk product could be exported with no problem. Now each individual farm’s milk average must meet the requirement.<br />
<br />
The farm’s SCC requirement to meet the EU regulation is a 3-month rolling average. The term rolling average is similar to that used by DHIA. It means that the SCC used will be the average of the current month’s SCC and the two previous months. The three-month rolling SCC average is recalculated each month. According to the regulation, at least 1 official SCC per month must be used by the milk processor to represent a farm’s monthly SCC. However, many milk processors take the average of several official SCC tests to represent the farm’s monthly SCC and may continue to do so.<br />
<br />
The farm’s SPC requirement is a 2-month rolling average. It means that the SPC used will be the average of the current month’s SPC and the previous month. This 2-month rolling SPC average is recalculated each month. The EU regulation requires that the average of two official SPC in a single month be used to calculate a herd’s monthly SPC average.<br />
<br />
According to the EU Regulation, the 3-month rolling average SCC and 2-month rolling average SPC can be calculated by using either the arithmetic average or geometric average. The arithmetic average is currently used. Most milk processors will likely continue using the arithmetic average at this time. The geometric average is the actual midpoint of several tests whereas high or low tests may have a greater influence on the arithmetic average. If your SCC is generally consistent over time, this difference is not that important. The geometric average is used by most milk processors from countries outside of the U.S. to evaluate herd milk quality. Microsoft Excel has formulas to calculate an arithmetic or geometric mean and can be easily used to estimate your rolling average for SCC and SPC.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">The US Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and EU Requirement</span><br />
<br />
The Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) contains milk quality standards that are minimum requirements for all U.S. dairy producers. The PMO requires that milk from individual farms be less than 750,000 SCC and less than 100,000 SPC. The new EU Requirement does not change the PMO requirement. This may seem confusing but remember the EU Requirement (400,000 SCC) is only for milk from individual farms that will be exported from the U.S. to EU or allied countries. In theory, individual dairies whose milk processor will not export product are required to only meet milk quality standards of the PMO or their milk processor. As mentioned previously, many milk processors have milk quality standards superior to the PMO.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Some Short-Term Exceptions Are Allowed</span><br />
<br />
The EU requirement states that individual farms may request a temporary exception if their milk quality does not meet regulations. You may also hear this referred to as a derogation. According to the EU requirement, an application can be submitted by the milk processor to the United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) requesting an exception. It is expected that the cost for the milk processor will be about $200 per application. Milk processors are then required to work with the farm to resolve the cause of high SCC or SPC. <br />
<br />
If a farm has long term challenges in meeting the EU requirement the milk processor will be required to stop picking up milk from that farm, or will need to segregate milk to comply with EU requirements. To qualify for a seasonal exception, a farm must have 9-months of milk quality results that meet the EU requirement. The farm must also demonstrate through records that this seasonally high SCC or SPC rolling average isn’t due to poor hygiene or unsanitary procedures.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;">Impact</span><br />
<br />
The new EU Regulations will take place for US dairy producers on April 1, 2012. As described, the requirement specifically applies to individual dairy farms that sell milk to processors that export dairy products to the EU and allied countries. The requirement states that each of these dairy farms must meet the regulation for a 3-month rolling average SCC below 400,000 and 2-month rolling average SPC below 100,000. It is very likely that all dairy farms should be prepared to meet these minimum requirements for milk quality. Many milk processors are changing milk quality premium schedules to further encourage producers to meet the demand for quality milk in the US and by other countries.<br />
<br />
To further expand and supply export opportunities for US dairy products it is likely that the trend for improved milk quality will continue and grow. As milk processors and individual farms work to meet these new standards they will improve quality milk in the U.S. resulting in a lower average SCC for U.S. milk.<br />
<br />
More information, including frequently asked questions, can be found at the following website: <a href="http://nmpf.org/washington_watch/labeling/SCC">http://nmpf.org/washington_watch/labeling/SCC</a><br />
<br />
<hr />Dr. Sandy Costello is owner and mastitis/milk quality specialist at Milk Quality Pays and provides on-farm milk quality consulting, training, and product and applied research to aid producer decisions. The mission of Milk Quality Pays is to ensure clients produce and sell milk of the highest quality while maximizing profitability from milk income and maximizing customer assurance of product quality, safety, and worker & animal well-being. Dr. Costello can be reached at 570-768-6140 or scostello@milkqualitypays.com.<br />
<span style="color: #351c75;"><br />
</span>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-50935263038030399422011-10-13T00:12:00.002-04:002011-10-13T13:23:22.593-04:00Recent Twitters: October 2011<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">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<i>...always ask for the rest of the story before making decisions solely on brief statements below.</i></span><br />
<br />
<hr /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE by MASTITIS PATHOGENS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Antibiotic Resistance</u>:</span> </b>There is no evidence of antimicrobial resistance to mastitis pathogens. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hogan, J. from Ohio State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Antibiotic Resistance & Risk of Transfer from Milk to People</u>:</span> </b>Results suggest a low risk of transmission of bacteria from milk and milk products to human populations. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Saini, V. from Univ. of Calgary at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Methicillin Resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA)</u>:</span> </b>Despite many lawsuits, MRSA in milk is not currently a major health concern. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Ferreira, J. from NC State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ANTIBIOTIC USE on DAIRIES:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Antibiotic Use on 40 Dairies in Wisconsin</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>All 40 dairies treated cows for mastitis; 92% treated for respiratory disease; 85% for foot rot; 32% for diarrhea. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Oliveira, L. from Univ. of WI-Madison at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>AUTOMATIC MILKING SYSTEMS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Electrical Conductivity (EC) & SCC</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Use of EC plus SCC together are a better predictor of clinical mastitis than EC alone on robotic farms. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Kamphuis, C. from DairyNZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@MteamUGent</u> (Belgium) on Sept 22, 2011)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Mastitis Detection</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>New and more accurate sensors are needed to further improve detection of clinical mastitis on robotic farms. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Kamphuis, C. from DairyNZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@MteamUGent </u>(Belgium) on Sept 22, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Systems in Denmark</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Twenty-two % of herds in Denmark have automatic milking systems. It is the highest in the world. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Katholm, J. from Knowledge Center for Ag, Cattle at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@MilkQuality</u> (NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>CLINICAL MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">No Growth Results</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Ten to 40% of all milk samples from clinical mastitis cases result in 'no significant growth' when cultured for mastitis pathogens. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Plummer, P. from Iowa State at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">No Growth Results</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Study confirmed microbial populations exist in non-culturable mastitis cases. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Plummer, P. from Iowa State at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>DISEASES-OTHER & METABOLIC DISORDERS & MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Milk Fever & Mastitis</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Research showed that subclinical Milk Fever (low Calcium level) at calving is associated with increased fat mobilization but was not associated with clinical mastitis. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Chamberlin, J. from Univ. Missouri at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Milk Fever & Mastitis</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Clinical Milk Fever is associated with mastitis but there is a lack of research focused on subclinical milk fever and mastitis. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Chamberlin, J. from Univ. Missouri at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>DRY COW SELECTIVE TREATMENT:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Use of On-Farm Culture for Selective Treatment</u>:</span> </b>On-farm culture using 3M Petrifilms may be an effective tool for selective treatment provided the user is properly trained. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: MacDonald, K, from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Use of 3M Petrifilms for Selective Treatment</u>:</span> </b>Use of 3M Petrifilms to identify mastitis pathogen resulted in a substantial decrease in primary antibiotic use. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: MacDonald, K, from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>GOATS & MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Genetics & SCC</u>:</span> </b>There appears to be a relationship between estimated breeding value for SCC and mastitis infections in goats. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: McDougall, S. from Morrisville Animal Health Center in New Zealand at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>HEIFER MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b>Strep. uberis</b></span></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>See Strep. uberis comments below</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Milk Production</u>: </span></b>Mastitis during udder development may cause long-term reduction in milk yield. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Milk Production</u>: </span></b>Mastitis in heifers around calving will likely affect first lactation milk yield. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>MONITORING MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><u>Changes in Mastitis Level</u>:</span> </b>Key mastitis parameters to monitor herd level, include number of new infections, number of chronic infections, and number of infections in fresh cows. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ORGANIC DAIRIES & MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Organic Treatments</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Some products used in organic herds are being sold (and purchased) without any data showing effectiveness. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Barlow, J. from Univ. of Vermont at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Organic Treatments</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Residue issues are a concern that must be addressed for certain products used. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Barlow, J. from Univ. of Vermont at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Organic & Conventional Bulk Tank Milk</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>There was similar Bulk Tank Milk quality in the 95 organic and 51 conventional herds in WI study although management practices differed. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Weix, R. from Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PAIN RELIEF & MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Pain Indicator Tools</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Pain indicator tools may accurately detect discomfort associated with mastitis and may be used in future to administer pain relieving medications. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Fitzpatrick, C. from Univ. of Guelph at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>PATHOGENS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS or Staph. species)</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Teat Dipping</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Teat dipping will control CNS infections. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Heifers & Calving</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>CNS are the most common bacteria isolated from heifer milk around calving. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">CNS & Clinical Mastitis</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>CNS usually causes subclinical or mild clinical mastitis. Can persist for several months. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Simojoki, H. from Univ. of Helsinki at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">CNS & Staph. epidermidis</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Staph. epidermidis is one of the most common species of CNS. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Simojoki, H. from Univ. of Helsinki at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Klebsiella</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Characteristics</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Klebsiella mastitis can be severe or chronic. It has a low cure rate, can be long duration, associated with production loss <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Risk Factors</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>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. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Mycoplasma</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Detection</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Not all milk samples from Bulk Tank Milk were positive for Mycoplasma for both PCR and culture. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Wilson, D. from Utah State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Detection</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>PCR and cultures for Mycoplasma in milk had nearly 80% agreement, and sensitivities were not significantly different. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Wilson, D. from Utah State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Characteristics & </span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Detection</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Mycoplasma's slow growth and specific nutritional requirements in culture are impediments to identifying the organism in the lab. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Boonyayatra, S. from Washington State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Characteristics</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Mycoplasma is considered a contagious mastitis pathogen. Characteristics include: no cell wall, smallest self-replicating organism. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Boonyayatra, S. from Washington State Univ. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><div><br />
<div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Prototheca</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Characteristics</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Prototheca are single cell pathogenic algae. They sometimes cause clinical mastitis and may be found in water, bedding, manure. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Britten, A. from Udder Health Systems (Idaho) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Herd Outbreak on 3000 Cow Dairy</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Prototheca could not be identified from environmental sources. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Britten, A. from Udder Health Systems (Idaho) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Herd Outbreak on 3000 Cow Dairy</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Subclinically infected cows appeared to be the reservoir for Prototheca mastitis in the herd - cow to cow tranfer. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Britten, A. from Udder Health Systems (Idaho) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Staphylococcus aureus</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Vaccination</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>No vaccines are currently available that reliably prevent Staph. aureus mastitis. The first S. aureus vaccine was attempted in 1966. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Luby, C. from Univ. Saskatchewan at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Agglutination Tests for Pathogen ID</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Evaluated performance of 3 agglutination tests to identify Staph. aureus. Tests are quick and easy but interpretation differs between tests. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Agglutination Tests for Pathogen ID</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>The tests correctly identified Staph. aureus isolated from cows with mastitis however there were false positives and false negatives. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Streptococcus agalactiae</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Strep ag in Columbia</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Strep ag is a pathogen associated with the udder and does not survive long on other body sites or in environment. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Keefe, G. from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Strep ag in Columbia</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>The reservoir for Strep ag infections is the infected udder and shedding cows. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Keefe, G. from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Strep ag in Columbia</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Programs can get rid of Strep ag in a dairy herd and unless infected animals are purchased, the herd can remain Strep ag free. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Keefe, G. from Univ. Prince Edward Island at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Strep ag in Sweden</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Mastitis caused by Strep ag is uncommon in Sweden, however several large herds have experienced problems. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. in Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Strep ag in Sweden</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>In most of the herds (in Sweden), Strep. ag was introduced by purchased animals. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Persson Waller, K. from Natl. Vet. Inst. in Sweden at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Strep ag in Denmark</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Bulk Tank Milk from all herds in Denmark are annually tested for Strep ag by bacterial culture. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Katholm, J. from Knowledge Center for Ag, Cattle (Denmark) at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><i>Streptococcus uberis</i></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Calving Infections</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Get rid of Strep uberis infections around calving! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Milk Production</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Twin study showed heifers with Strep uberis infections around calving produced less milk than their uninfected twin. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Calving Infections - Clinical Mastitis</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Ten % of cows experience clinical mastitis at calving in New Zealand. Seventy-five % of these clinical new infections are due to Strep uberis. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Transfer of Strep uberis</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>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. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Hillerton, E. from Dairy NZ at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Strep uberis Risk & Prevalence</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Strep uberis is a common environmental mastitis pathogen and a common cause of intramammary infections. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">6. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Biofilms</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Biofilms provide a sheltered and protected area for bacterial growth and allow them to be resistant to antibiotics. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">7. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Biofilms</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Strep uberis bacteria varies in its' ability to form biofilms. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">8. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Biofilms</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Many persistent/recurrent Strep uberis infections are attributed to formation of biofilms, or polymetric matrixes produced by bacterial colonies. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Prado, M. from Univ. Tenn at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">9. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Vaccination</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Currently there is no commercially available Strep uberis vaccine. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Nickerson, S. from Univ. Georgia at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 23, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>RAW MILK SALES & REGULATIONS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Raw Milk Sales</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>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 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Open Discussion at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Raw Milk Position Statement</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>The NMC has a position statement on raw milk. <a href="http://www.nmconline.org/docs/rawmilkposition.htm">NMC Raw Milk Position Statement</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 21, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>REPRODUCTION & MASTITIS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;"><b>Association with Mastitis</b></span></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Mastitis goes beyond milk quality. There is a link between reproduction and udder health <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council, 2011. RT@DCRCouncil. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 26, 2011)</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>SOMATIC CELL COUNT:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Canada & SCC Level</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Did you know that the SCC limit in Canada will drop from 500,000 to 400,000 in August 2012. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Herd SCC Goal & Regulations</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>If you want to beat the 400,000 SCC limit, your optimal bulk tank SCC goal should be between 50,000 and 200,000. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Low SCC & Impact</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>It is virtually impossible for cows to have an SCC that is too low. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Schukken, Y. from QMPS-Cornell Univ. at World Dairy Expo, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">4. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Change in U.S. SCC Requirement</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>USDA is circulating a new draft on 400,000 SCC requirement. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Dairy Today on agweb.com. RT by <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Oct 7, 2011)</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">5. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">SCC & Global Testing</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>The number of SCC tests done globally is estimated as more than 500-million per year. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Orlandini, S. from Assoc. of Italian Breeders. at AABP-NMC Conference, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 24, 2011)</span></span><br />
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</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>ULTRA VIOLET LIGHT & PATHOGENS:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">1. <u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">Use of Ultra Violet Light</span></b></u><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #073763;">:</span> </b>Technology has promise for extending shelf life and improving milk safety. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>(</b><u>Source</u>: Cullor, J. from School of Vet. Med. UC-Davis at AABP-NMC, 2011. <u>Twitter@QualityMilk </u>(NMC) on Sept 22, 2011)</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><br />
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</span></span></div>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-37332232115589830542010-03-27T22:15:00.003-04:002010-03-29T12:11:26.935-04:00Serratia - What Should You Do If You Find it in Your Herd?Several producers have called recently to find out about <em>Serratia marcescens</em> mastitis after culturing milk samples from individual cows and finding <em>Serratia</em> as the cause of mastitis. This blog addresses their questions, decisions, and our current understanding. <br />
<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Origin of Serratia marcescens</strong></em></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYfVb973laYBRnsWqHFcZbx8Gu_xKwyRO-6vckvqxoUPVVb25JeSF0G0fL_OUAvHLc6uObPpyZbDNTZ-v-T7oHgjoDvgWS3aNEcdsAFg3Dhl4V-BOHp9yLyxSE1XRleRi6MrGoq6_IV1J/s1600/Teat+Dip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYfVb973laYBRnsWqHFcZbx8Gu_xKwyRO-6vckvqxoUPVVb25JeSF0G0fL_OUAvHLc6uObPpyZbDNTZ-v-T7oHgjoDvgWS3aNEcdsAFg3Dhl4V-BOHp9yLyxSE1XRleRi6MrGoq6_IV1J/s200/Teat+Dip.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="color: black;">It is difficult to know where <em>Serratia</em> comes from without testing environmental samples, utensils, milking equipment, or milk samples from additional cows. If <em>Serratia</em> is found only in one cow, further environmental testing may not be worthwhile. However, if the bug is found in several cows' milk it would be important to act quickly. <em>Serratia</em>, although not a common cause of mastitis, is present in the cow's environment - soil, plants, feed, and water. <em>Serratia</em> has also been found in bedding and on the milking facility floor, indicating it may be traced back to infected cows. <em>Serratia</em> may originate in bedding or have leaked onto bedding from infected cows. This means that good hygiene and biosecurity are very important to prevent transfer from infected to 'clean' cows. It also means that culturing new infections - either found through DHI SCC or when fore-stripping - is important to reduce the chance of spread of <em>Serratia</em>. Herd outbreaks of <em>Serratia</em> mastitis have occurred in herds where <em>Serratia</em> grew in bedding and/or teat dip. Poor udder cleanliness and damaged teat ends also appear to increase risk of spreading <em>Serratia</em> to 'clean' cows.</span><br />
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<em><strong><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Diagnosis and Severity of Serratia Mastitis Infections</span></strong></em><br />
Most <em>Serratia</em> infections will be found after a new DHI test comes back with a high cow somatic cell count (SCC). Visible signs of mastitis may only be seen in one-half of <em>Serratia</em> cases, meaning that visible symptoms won't always be apparent. Changes to milk are usually mild - few flakes - but infections won't cure, regardless of treatment. This means that <em>Serratia</em> mastitis is not a good thing, and prevention, and diagnosis through milk culturing, are important to keep infections low.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>When are Serratia Mastitis Infections Most Likely to Occur?</strong></em></span><br />
New infections can occur at any time during lactation and may also occur during the dry period. Cows with high milk production are not at greater risk than cows with low milk production. <em>Serratia</em> is an "equal opportunity" bug, although is more likely to infect that next cow milked after an infected cow, and cows with poor teat ends. Because <em>Serratia</em>, like many environmental mastitis bugs, may be spread from cow to cow, it is important to milk infected cows last or with a milking unit used only for chronic cows.<br />
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<em><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>How likely is Serratia to Cure?</strong></span></em><br />
<em>Serratia</em> is resistant to most antibiotics. One study found cure rate was only 14 percent. Mastitis treatment for <em>Serratia</em> rarely cures infections and is not recommended. After antibiotic treatment, milk may look better, but is usually only temporary. Because cows with <em>Serratia</em> mastitis are not likely to cure, emphasis should be placed on identifying new infections quickly.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>How Can You Prevent and Control Serratia Mastitis Infections?</em></strong></span><br />
<em>Serratia</em>, like most mastitis bugs, plays by the numbers game. The more <em>Serratia </em>bugs in the cow's environment, the more likely the next cow will become infected. Teat and teat end cleanliness at milking, careful fore-stripping to prevent back splash or stripping onto cow beds, removing hair from the udder at least every 6-months, use of pre-dipping before milking will all be beneficial. In addition, reducing contact of the cow's udder with bugs between milkings, by scraping back of cow beds (where the udder rests), and applying fresh bedding frequently, will be worth your time. In herd-wide problems, quick identification of <em>Serratia</em> source: cows, bedding, or teat dip, is essential to reducing infection spread.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Teat Dip and Serratia</strong></em></span><br />
Teat dip does not usually contain <em>Serratia marcescens</em>. However, <em>Serratia</em> is commonly resistant to chlorhexidine-gluconate or quaternary ammonium disinfectants. Consider culturing your teat dip if <em>Serratia</em> is found in more than one cow, and especially if one of these disinfectants is used as germicide in your teat dip. Most mastitis laboratories will culture teat dips. As long as a representative sample is sent to the laboratory, <em>Serratia</em> should be easy to find if present in the teat dip. A negative finding means that <em>Serratia</em> is not present in the teat dip sample and a positive finding means that <em>Serratia</em> is in the teat dip and is likely a source for new <em>Serratia</em> infections.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Summary</strong></em></span><br />
<em>Serratia</em> infections are relatively uncommon and it was surprising to have two calls within a short-time frame. Routine culturing was helpful to these particular farmers in that it confirmed <em>Serratia</em> was present in their herds. Because both producers tend to culture most new infections, they knew <em>Serratia</em> was not common and wanted to learn more about how to deal with the mastitis. In one case, the producer had the teat dip cultured and the result was negative. He was concerned whether a negative result meant the teat dip was not the source of the infection or the chlorhexidine teat dip was not the likely source of the cow's infection. In the other herd, <em>Serratia</em> was found in a good cow without previous mastitis, symptoms were atypical for the herd, and treatment was started before culture results came back from the laboratory. The producer's veterinarian recommended extended therapy because symptoms were atypical for the herd and this protocol was previously successful in curing herd mastitis infections. After treatment, mastitis was still present in the cow's quarter. The producer called to get information on what the research suggests in terms of ability to cure <em>Serratia</em> mastitis and whether additional treatment might be successful.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>What Decisions Can Be Aided By a New Understanding About Serratia?</em></strong></span><br />
1). <em>Serratia</em> cows should be milked last or with dedicated milking units to reduce the chance of spreading infections;<br />
2). <em>Serratia</em> cows should be put on the 'to cull' list. Treatment and especially re-treatment is not recommended;<br />
3). Carefully watch for <em>Serratia</em> mastitis by culturing new infections;<br />
4). Culture fresh bedding and/or teat dip (if chlorhexidine or quaternary ammonium based) if more than one case of <em>Serratia</em> is found;<br />
5). Add new knowledge gained about <em>Serratia</em> to your tool box for quicker and profitable future mastitis decisions.<br />
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<em><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-small;">Thanks to Dr. Frank Welcome for guidance about teat dip culturing and Cornell QMPS for their summary of Serratia Research.</span></em>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-53703248315109584472010-01-07T14:20:00.005-05:002010-01-07T15:49:19.625-05:00Milking Management and Gloves: A Historical Perspective on Use<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<strong><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><em>Historical Background on 'Glove Use' as a Strategy to Reduce Infection Transfer</em></span></strong><br />
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I'm currently working on several fact sheets for National Mastitis Council (NMC) meetings which are coming up in early February and am also preparing for winter workshops that will be held on <strong><em><span style="color: #0b5394;">'Milking Management'</span></em></strong> (see December blogs). As part of the process, I'm reviewing lots of research to trace origin of why certain procedures and control methods are recommended. I thought I'd share some of the highlights of my findings.<br />
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It is recommended by NMC, that strong but thin disposable gloves, similar to what surgeons and health professionals wear in the hospital, be worn by all folks doing the milking on-farm. It is also recommended that these gloves be sanitized periodically or changed as needed. Gloves should be thrown away at a minimum after each milking and new gloves worn at the start of the next milking. The rationale for wearing gloves and potential impact on disease control may seem pretty obvious but we still have many farmers and employees who refuse to consider wearing gloves for various reasons. I've also found over the last 3-years of field work that many farms save gloves used at one milking and reuse them at the next to 'save money'. <br />
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My thought was that maybe there is some 'ammunition' in the research data to convince folks to wear gloves, and to encourage quick replacement or sanitizing of 'gloves at risk'. This 'ammunition' would then be used in education to persuade and overcome feelings by some farmers and employees that 'gloves are uncomfortable', 'cost too much', and/or 'affect ability to effectively palpate the udder or otherwise perform tasks that require 'feeling' or tactile senses needed when milking and diagnosing problems with the udder'.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Where and Why Did Glove Use in the Medical Profession Originate?</em></strong></span><br />
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The 'data' or 'validation' will follow in upcoming blogs but this blog shares a historical perspective from the medical literature and which I think is both interesting and 'fun'.<br />
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The first article I found on rationale or initiation for glove use was in the medical literature in a British Medical Journal published in 1933. My thought was that if I could find the original rationale or reference, this may be helpful to get more dairy producers and their employees to wear gloves while milking and thereby reduce risk of spreading mastitis from infected cows to healthy cows.<br />
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So how did glove use start? Basically, glove use was initiated to protect a woman's hands from an unsightly rash and chemical reaction and because of a romance between this assistant and the doctor in charge. Glove use initially expanded partially due to ego. Health care professionals felt they looked more like 'experts' when wearing gloves. Glove use then expanded and continued based on a desire by health professionals to protect themselves from disease and also to protect transfer of diseases from diseased patients to healthy patients (albeit immunocompromised - e.g., in hospital for another ailment). Research provided the cause and effect or rationale. Hands harbor bacteria. Gloves, when used properly, may reduce the chance or risk of transferring bacteria. AIDS has probably been the number one reason for expanded glove use in the medical profession. It is possible, when one's own health is at stake, health care professionals are more likely to adhere to a particular protocol - like wearing gloves. <br />
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There are still plenty of instances or examples in the medical literature where health care workers forget to fully cleanse gloved hands or replace used gloves and where bacteria are transferred via gloved hands or non-gloved hands from diseased patients to healthy patients. The presence of Methicillin Resistant Staph. aureus (MRSA) in hospitals and impact, especially in immunocompromised patients, may be reinforcing and expanding adherence to glove use by health care workers. Regardless, even when their own potential health is at stake, folks have to be continually reminded through 'data' and other means, that hands - even with glove use, - are a major means of transferring disease from one patient to other patients.<br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><strong><em>The actual historical quote of how glove use started</em></strong></span><br />
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The original story is attributed to Dr. F.L. Reichert, and related to an event in 1891. Enjoy!<br />
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"(Dr.)W.S. Halstead of Baltimore introduced the use of rubber gloves as a protection both for patient and for surgeon in 1891. Halstead first introduced rubber gloves into his theatre a year or so earlier, in the winter of 1889-90 for a slightly different purpose. The nurse in charge of the operating room had complained to him that the solution of mercuric chloride used in sterilizing the hands had caused dermatitis on her forearms and hands. In Halstead's own words: "As she was an unusually efficient woman, I gave the matter my consideration and one day in New York requested the Goodyear Rubber Company to make as an experiment two pairs of thin rubber gloves with gauntlets (e.g., a dress glove extending over the wrist). On trial these proved to be satisfactory (so) that additional gloves were ordered." Later the assistant in charge of instruments was given gloves. The operator wore them at first only when making exploratory incisions into joints. After a time men who had grown accustomed to wearing gloves as assistants came to wear them habitually as operators, because they felt more expert with gloves than without."<br />
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</div>"It is interesting that the use of rubber gloves in surgery was not the result of an inspiration to eliminate the hands as a source of infection during the operation. Their use was a matter of slow evolution, first as a protection for the hands of the assistants from irritating solutions, then as an added precaution on the part of the operator in exploring joints, later as an aid to the operative dexterity of those accustomed to gloves as assistants, and finally as a regular adornment to be worn invariably in all cases, clean and septic, by the operator and all members of the operating team." <em><span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">"The unusually efficient woman" for whom it all began in due course became Mrs. Halstead".</span></em><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><strong>More actual data to follow.... ;-)</strong></span>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-40044107475064470312009-12-18T12:39:00.020-05:002009-12-22T22:27:36.435-05:00Penn State Winter 2010 Workshop Series - Best Milking Practices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span><br />
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</div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Renew or Expand Your...</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Milking Practices to Reduce Mastitis <br />
Risk and Reduce Your Frustration <br />
<span style="color: #741b47;">"Fitting it all in a 'days' work"</span></strong></span><br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiqjURZIo2xPaK7FV9XxDPNt562ER1BSFjBNezPuyzXdYp6NXtGNkya_7ehjODBtxO5ofCyABG-yhZRs7p5wyqWEvy9K91h-fxKPRJU6gjT2q9JEN3RtKY7eMRHpanoUAaG1hCEy1KRjd/s1600-h/Thick+0.5+page+line+-+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdiqjURZIo2xPaK7FV9XxDPNt562ER1BSFjBNezPuyzXdYp6NXtGNkya_7ehjODBtxO5ofCyABG-yhZRs7p5wyqWEvy9K91h-fxKPRJU6gjT2q9JEN3RtKY7eMRHpanoUAaG1hCEy1KRjd/s200/Thick+0.5+page+line+-+blue.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>What is Happening...</em></strong></span><br />
</div></div><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Workshop Series:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Best Milking Practices"</span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Offered By:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Penn State Cooperative Extension</span><br />
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</span><strong><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Time:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (note: program will start at 9:30 a.m. sharp - if late milking still join us)</span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Register By:</strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1-week before workshop date</span><br />
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</span><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><strong><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Description:</span></strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is not necessarily one <em>right</em> way to milk cows. However, there is often a <em>best</em> way based on milking facilities, people, and preferences. In addition, the parts of the milking process should be done a certain way and for specific and science-based reasons. Milking practices should be consistent - same way every milking and every day. Cows like consistency which <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">affects <em><strong>their</strong></em> well-being, risk of mastitis, and milking speed</span>. These are all things important to the cow. However, good cow well-being, low mastitis risk, and steady milking likely also <span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">reduce <em><strong>your</strong></em> frustration</span> (a.k.a. greater 'happiness'). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #f4cccc;">This hands-on workshop will</span> reinforce 'best milking practices' including cow milking stimulation and essentials of milk let-down. Equipment to demonstrate impact of prepping practices on milk flow will be used to validate (convince you?) that 'best milking practices' - prepping practices that match intended purpose and gentle cow handling - <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">are important</span> to milk let-down and milking speed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Agenda:</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>9:00 to 9:30:</strong></span> Registration</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>9:30 to 11:00:</strong></span> Best Milking Practices</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Anatomy, Purpose of Each Task and Fitting it All Together</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>11:00 to 11:30:</strong></span> Impact of Milking Practices on Teat Health</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>11:30 to 12:00:</strong></span> How Prepping Affects Milk Flow</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>12:00 to 12:30:</strong></span> Lunch</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>12:30 to 1:00:</strong></span> Travel to Farm</span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>1:00 to 2:30:</strong></span> On-Farm Milking Practices and 'Practice Concepts Learned'</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span> </span><span style="background-color: #f4cccc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please note the afternoon session wil be on-farm. Please bring proper footwear that can be sanitized for biosecurity reasons, as well as, warm and clean clothing. We will provide plastic boots for additional protection on-farm.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0pHmfO_dy4fZV6j3fi-kTCMg946mNAwSfF-qrIzw9XU0h6CFtXpTsFl_7z5bnuxoJnijxmuDXsQe36xV15xgQpL36MWPSJEKA3vP7dC6VpbSimkK5q6J0RmUr6tmPafsOYKDSfYS92-o/s1600-h/Green-Glow-Line-1-1=2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0pHmfO_dy4fZV6j3fi-kTCMg946mNAwSfF-qrIzw9XU0h6CFtXpTsFl_7z5bnuxoJnijxmuDXsQe36xV15xgQpL36MWPSJEKA3vP7dC6VpbSimkK5q6J0RmUr6tmPafsOYKDSfYS92-o/s200/Green-Glow-Line-1-1=2.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>This Workshop Will Suit You Best If...</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are a producer and you or your employees milk in a stall barn or a smaller parlor.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">We will spend a lot of time talking about things you do that affect time of detaching. These concepts apply to manual detach, stall barns with detachers or end of milking indicators, and small parlors - less than double-10 with or without detachers (yes there are some - honest :-)).</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0pHmfO_dy4fZV6j3fi-kTCMg946mNAwSfF-qrIzw9XU0h6CFtXpTsFl_7z5bnuxoJnijxmuDXsQe36xV15xgQpL36MWPSJEKA3vP7dC6VpbSimkK5q6J0RmUr6tmPafsOYKDSfYS92-o/s1600-h/Green-Glow-Line-1-1=2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz0pHmfO_dy4fZV6j3fi-kTCMg946mNAwSfF-qrIzw9XU0h6CFtXpTsFl_7z5bnuxoJnijxmuDXsQe36xV15xgQpL36MWPSJEKA3vP7dC6VpbSimkK5q6J0RmUr6tmPafsOYKDSfYS92-o/s200/Green-Glow-Line-1-1=2.jpg" /></a></span><br />
</div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Fee...</em></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGoUieWScBKqncUgmRCt1Np0h0KlSMDukCbJslcr4TiO3VpDk2nbVv634S5yUlwqqabkdxPAZBoUcUNQ7bXxZA2a2E1uuLQf28aFqIi5SNS9cw4AGiKghXpgZhboXusz_SeQ_pXy4qF7h/s1600-h/v+small+Question-Maroon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGoUieWScBKqncUgmRCt1Np0h0KlSMDukCbJslcr4TiO3VpDk2nbVv634S5yUlwqqabkdxPAZBoUcUNQ7bXxZA2a2E1uuLQf28aFqIi5SNS9cw4AGiKghXpgZhboXusz_SeQ_pXy4qF7h/s400/v+small+Question-Maroon.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are trying something different for these workshops and will see how well it works for future planning.</span></em><br />
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</span><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Producer Fee:</em></strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">$10/person</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Producer is responsible for this cost to attend</span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Producer Sponsor Fee:</em></strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">$20/person</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are requesting that each producer be 'sponsored' by one of their milk quality advisors. This might be your veterinarian, nutritionist, lender, dairy supply company, milk plant inspector, milking equipment dealership, or DHI technician. <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">As a producer, please talk with us if you feel this will prevent you from attending.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">Note:</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Producer Sponsor Fee is an additional fee that is part of the cost for a producer to attend. It is not intended to replace the producer fee. Please ask if you have questions. As an advisor, if you want more details about sponsoring a client or clients who you feel will benefit and use workshop information, please contact an educator listed below.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Logistics...</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Workshop Dates, Educator Contact, and Locations:</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Tuesday January 19, 2010:</em></strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Central Pennsylvania - Blair County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact:</strong> Amber Yutzy - Dairy Herd Health Educator - Central Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Phone:</strong> 814-643-1660</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Fax:</strong> 814-643-1669</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>E-mail:</strong> </span><a href="mailto:anl113@psu.edu"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">anl113@psu.edu</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong> Martinsburg, PA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79;">Wednesday January 20, 2010:</span></em></strong> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Northeastern Pennsylvania - Tioga County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact:</strong> Craig Williams - Dairy Extension Educator - Northeast Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Phone:</strong> 570-724-9120</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Fax:</strong> 570-724-9120</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>E-mail:</strong> </span><a href="mailto:jcw17@psu.edu"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jcw17@psu.edu</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong> Middlebury Center, PA</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>Thursday January 21, 2010:</em></strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Central Pennsylvania - Juniata County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact:</strong> Amber Yutzy - Dairy Herd Health Educator</span><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wednesday Feb 17, 2010:</span></em></strong> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southeastern Pennsylvania - Lancaster County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Educator Contact:</strong></span> Sandy Costello, Ph.D. - Dairy Herd Health Educator - Southeast Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Phone:</strong> 717-240-6500</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Fax:</strong> 717-240-6548</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>E-mail:</strong> <a href="mailto:ssc10@psu.edu">ssc10@psu.edu</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong> Paradise, PA</span><br />
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Thursday March 11, 2010:</strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southeastern Pennsylvania - Franklin County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact:</strong> Phil Wagner - Dairy Extension Educator - Franklin County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Phone:</strong> 717-263-9226 Extension 228</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Fax:</strong>717-263-9228</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>E-mail:</strong> <a href="mailto:pew1@psu.edu">pew1@psu.edu</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong> Chambersburg, PA</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqw4gVzH_IjSEHGtEg2BS7e46iyBo3WoYF2xpTSmS90EyTldXKL_vOM6Bsbn4HYtQXn4x1V3LtfJld0ky3sAWf85_XijGnmF5MYe5IG4_K8qZoXHCset5xvmt-3jbjcJXUCsXjKvNmEZ8/s1600-h/Thick+0.5+page+line+-+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqw4gVzH_IjSEHGtEg2BS7e46iyBo3WoYF2xpTSmS90EyTldXKL_vOM6Bsbn4HYtQXn4x1V3LtfJld0ky3sAWf85_XijGnmF5MYe5IG4_K8qZoXHCset5xvmt-3jbjcJXUCsXjKvNmEZ8/s320/Thick+0.5+page+line+-+blue.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="background-color: #ead1dc; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>Please contact specific educator contact for site specifics, registration and sponsorship and other details, and Sandy Costello for overall program content details. Thanks! Costello E-mail: <a href="mailto:ssc10@psu.edu">ssc10@psu.edu</a></em></span>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-339263683003115125.post-83158774204289581372009-12-16T21:54:00.007-05:002010-01-07T16:08:42.124-05:00Penn State Winter 2010 Workshop Series - Mastitis Records<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Learn how to...</em></strong></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiMQmeMQfREaRPioXkHqrqQVG-QcKvYNFa7addPWIjsZAo1geHdSE99JIS7Zf0JrZICM9395CMXCOQAKAiMYsKBYjcnVUz5u0_KAHzcRSr_D-XwpueOYsAxBgGoIJbL5r5hv3qddhyhbZ/s1600-h/DHI+Cell+Count+Comic-Philpot-purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSiMQmeMQfREaRPioXkHqrqQVG-QcKvYNFa7addPWIjsZAo1geHdSE99JIS7Zf0JrZICM9395CMXCOQAKAiMYsKBYjcnVUz5u0_KAHzcRSr_D-XwpueOYsAxBgGoIJbL5r5hv3qddhyhbZ/s200/DHI+Cell+Count+Comic-Philpot-purple.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong>Use Your Mastitis Records to Make M<span style="color: purple;">ore Money</span></strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqAGGGmIeRAt5KvdFr9GPkLP_CdC5UCLHNvkrBQ8T-J74kOr4Ok7I7nGMtKmh-4U2H63Pcu8N7PkJRN29kZI65h2f_RvKuvs8dNRWTBMRrm_Tiw26Xkvy0UzjYiS8cv3inx_ANGOTIYm4/s1600-h/Purple+Element.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: purple;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqAGGGmIeRAt5KvdFr9GPkLP_CdC5UCLHNvkrBQ8T-J74kOr4Ok7I7nGMtKmh-4U2H63Pcu8N7PkJRN29kZI65h2f_RvKuvs8dNRWTBMRrm_Tiw26Xkvy0UzjYiS8cv3inx_ANGOTIYm4/s200/Purple+Element.jpg" /></span></a><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>What is Happening...</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Workshop Series:</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Mastitis Records: Evaluating What Works and What Doesn't"</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Offered By:</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Penn State Cooperative Extension</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Time:</strong></em> <span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (<span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">note</span>: program will start at 9:30 a.m. sharp - if late milking <em>still</em> join us)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia;"><em><strong>Registration By: </strong></em><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1-week before workshop date</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Description:</strong></em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mastitis is the costliest disease on most dairies. Costs vary a lot from herd to herd. A recent Penn State study funded by the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education on 30 dairies found that milk plant incentives varied from a <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">cost of $45 per cow per year</span> to a supplement of more than <span style="background-color: #d9d2e9;">$140 per cow per year</span>. In addition to milk quality dollars, cost of mastitis in the average herd is estimated to be another $200 per cow per year while the average clinical case of mastitis may cost another $108.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only way to determine costs of mastitis and impact of quality milk practices is to start with a great understanding of available records and ways to keep and use them more effectively. Milk plant records, DHI records, and clinical mastitis records should be used together to set goals and track progress toward reducing mastitis and receiving higher milk quality dollars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thus workshop will help you to better use your DHI mastitis records, and culture results, keep track of clinical mastitis, better monitor your progress toward higher quality milk dollars, and to communicate more easily and more often with your milk quality advisors.</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Agenda:</strong></em></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>9:00 to 9:30:</strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Registration</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>9:30 to 10:00:</strong></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Milk Quality Records</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">10:00 to 11:30:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DHI Records</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">11:30 to 12:30:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Clinical Mastitis Records</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">12:30 to 1:00:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">1:00 to 2:15:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Case Studies and Records Work</span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">2:15 to 2:30:</span></strong> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Evaluation</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><em>This Workshop Will Suit You Best If:</em></strong></span><br />
<ol><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are a Pennsylvania Dairy Producer and Have DHI Records Processed through Lancaster DHIA or Dairy One</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You mainly use DHI Records in paper form (mailed to you each month) with limited on-farm computer software to evaluate mastitis</span></li>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxvot-eTzHaETDDvu12Sgg_pXuqAvXcNkj1tQqaaTgxuC7c7YeIQHuI15Bgmx_hrFaxobsw_7ssj1ZkHJqIq_yYuMt8eyAeptEaiTXU-NG-SyEy4R3M3B_XRWJ5UPUnEzUC-OMZr-1rBE/s1600-h/Teal+Narrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxvot-eTzHaETDDvu12Sgg_pXuqAvXcNkj1tQqaaTgxuC7c7YeIQHuI15Bgmx_hrFaxobsw_7ssj1ZkHJqIq_yYuMt8eyAeptEaiTXU-NG-SyEy4R3M3B_XRWJ5UPUnEzUC-OMZr-1rBE/s320/Teal+Narrow.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73oP7MXhHtgKFHUXy301-7EMEAQmieE7Q7fqkCARJkP-ani-GXx3_RL-P-OczmsTRuQwzhfTQgwbKPZhRXRCiC1YqcmrrTE6ORLWXnEy8v8MeSlEQJ56PsrOj6aWJNkxMiKFYiZb6tONf/s1600-h/Construction+Guy-Purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg73oP7MXhHtgKFHUXy301-7EMEAQmieE7Q7fqkCARJkP-ani-GXx3_RL-P-OczmsTRuQwzhfTQgwbKPZhRXRCiC1YqcmrrTE6ORLWXnEy8v8MeSlEQJ56PsrOj6aWJNkxMiKFYiZb6tONf/s200/Construction+Guy-Purple.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Fee...</em></strong></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are trying something different for these workshops and will see how well it works for future planning.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong><span style="color: #134f5c;">Producer Fee</span></strong>:</em></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">$10/person</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Producer participant is responsible for this cost to attend</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><strong>Producer Sponsor Fee:</strong></em></span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">$20/person</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are requesting that each producer be 'sponsored' by one of their milk quality advisors. This might be your veterinarian, nutritionist, lender, dairy supply company, milk plant inspector, milking equipment dealership, or DHI technician</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;"><strong><em>Note</em></strong>:</span> The Producer Sponsor Fee is an additional fee that is part of the cost for a producer to attend. It is not intended to replace the producer fee. Please ask if you have questions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #ead1dc;">As an advisor, if you want more details</span> about sponsoring a client or clients who you feel will benefit and use workshop information, please contact an educator listed below.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxvot-eTzHaETDDvu12Sgg_pXuqAvXcNkj1tQqaaTgxuC7c7YeIQHuI15Bgmx_hrFaxobsw_7ssj1ZkHJqIq_yYuMt8eyAeptEaiTXU-NG-SyEy4R3M3B_XRWJ5UPUnEzUC-OMZr-1rBE/s1600-h/Teal+Narrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFxvot-eTzHaETDDvu12Sgg_pXuqAvXcNkj1tQqaaTgxuC7c7YeIQHuI15Bgmx_hrFaxobsw_7ssj1ZkHJqIq_yYuMt8eyAeptEaiTXU-NG-SyEy4R3M3B_XRWJ5UPUnEzUC-OMZr-1rBE/s320/Teal+Narrow.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fFlM6VwI5CVdib3WF2TEfzZdM_kT82gbtPBXx53mWffFXjvuh-TjWRkvPCIrrZOtKivcVdjuNyFtYhiIvTmYUgp0luK7tnTPLqnjwjPWfKzYchTyPEAguV1yiltkAj84yX4nT4sZQN0Z/s1600-h/Cows+on+Parade-Flowers-Purple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6fFlM6VwI5CVdib3WF2TEfzZdM_kT82gbtPBXx53mWffFXjvuh-TjWRkvPCIrrZOtKivcVdjuNyFtYhiIvTmYUgp0luK7tnTPLqnjwjPWfKzYchTyPEAguV1yiltkAj84yX4nT4sZQN0Z/s200/Cows+on+Parade-Flowers-Purple.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><strong><em>Logistics...</em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Workshop Dates, Site Educator In Charge, and Locations:</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><strong>Wednesday Feb 10, 2010</strong></span>:</span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Central Pennsylvania - Clinton County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact</strong>: Amber Yutzy - Dairy Herd Health Educator - Central Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Phone</strong>: 814-643-1660</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Fax</strong>: 814-643-1669</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>E-mail</strong>: </span><a href="mailto:anl113@psu.edu"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">anl113@psu.edu</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong></span> Mill Hall, PA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #134f5c;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><strong>Friday, Feb 12, 2010</strong>:</span></span> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Central Pennsylvania - Fulton County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact</strong>: Amber Yutzy - Dairy Herd Health Educator - Central Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong> McConnellsburg, PA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #45818e;"><strong>Wednesday, Feb 24, 2010</strong></span>:</span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southeastern Pennsylvania - Lancaster County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact:</strong> Sandy Costello, Ph.D. - Dairy Herd Health Educator - Southeast Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Phone:</strong> 717-240-6500</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Fax:</strong> 717-240-6548</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>E-mail:</strong> </span><a href="mailto:ssc10@psu.edu"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ssc10@psu.edu</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong></span> Paradise, PA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thursday, Feb 25, 2010:</span></strong> </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Southeastern Pennsylvania - Cumberland County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact:</strong> Sandy Costello, Ph.D. - Dairy Herd Health Educator - Southeast Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong> Newburg, PA</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Wednesday, Mar 3, 2010:</strong></span> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Northeastern Pennsylvania - Tioga County</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Educator Contact</strong>: Craig Williams - Dairy Extension Educator - Northeastern Region</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Phone</strong>: 570-724-9120</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Fax:</strong> 570-724-8137</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>E-mail:</strong> </span><a href="mailto:jcw17@psu.edu"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jcw17@psu.edu</span></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strong>Workshop Location:</strong> Middlebury Center, PA</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"><em>For brochures or more information, please contact us!</em></span>Sandy Costellohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07909005040179911353noreply@blogger.com0