Costly cause of poor milk quality

摘要

Environmental mastitis is still rife in Britain's dairy herds, despite improving standards in cow housing, winter management and dairy hygiene. Ministry veterinary investigations reveal that while there has been a general fall-off of virulent clinicalmastitis cases in recent years, the number of outbreaks caused by the more persistent strains such as Escherichia coli and Streptococcus uberis have declined very little. According to independent veterinary consultant Allan Henderson, the season for coliform infection is extending beyond the traditional period when cows are housed. "While the incidence is seasonal, arising mainly towards the end of winter, the danger period can extend from September through to May," he says.