The results of a mastitis awareness scheme in dairy herds in Natal and East Griqualand.
Over a period of 3 years some 314 widely distributed producers of fresh milk were made aware of their mastitis situation by regularly reporting the results of electronic determination of somatic cell counts in their bulked herd milk. These reports were preceded by information on the significance of high cell counts and followed by information relative to herd control of mastitis. The data are summarized in 2 figures and 1 table. Statistical analysis reflects a steady and significant improvement in the overall cell count picture over the duration of the programme. No differences could be established between counts on milk delivered in bulk and that delivered in cans. Regional differences existed. Of the herds in which the cell content was reduced to below 500 000/ml, 65% reported an increase in production and a decrease in the incidence of clinical mastitis. In the herds where no decrease in cell content was effected, only 20% reported an increase in production and 30% a reduction of clinical mastitis. Whatever the case, the consumers of the milk benefitted in receiving aesthetically more acceptable milk.
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D005260:Female; D008414:Mastitis, Bovine / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008892:Milk / Q000166:cytology; D013019:South Africa