Why is this research important for Alberta ag?
Mastitis is the most predominant, and most costly, infectious disease in dairy cows, costing Canada's dairy industry nearly $400M CAD per year. Even though extensive research has been done to better understand the causes of mastitis and udder immunity, it still continues to be the number on concern in the dairy industry.
The cost of a single case of clinical mastitis is ~$662 CAD due to injury of the udder, decreased milk yield, discarded milk, veterinary bills, and labor costs. Almost 80% of all antibiotics utilized by the dairy industry is used for prevention of mastitis, so there is also a consumer concern regarding antibiotics usage.
What benefits can producers expect from this research?
This research aims to gain a better understanding of mastitis, resulting in fewer economic losses and reduced need for antibiotics. Reducing the prevalence of mastitis would mean increased milk production from healthier cows, reduced number of culled cows, increased number of replacement heifers, and lower overall veterinary bills.
How will these research findings reach producers on-farm?
Extension papers and fact sheets will be distributed to the industry via Milking Times and Milk Producer. Results will also be shared via the Western Canadian Dairy Seminar. Findings will also be published as peer-reviewed articles in high impact journals.
Funded in part by the Government of Canada under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.