Udder health status at farm level-current situation and prospects from a systemic point of view.Original Title Eutergesundheitsstatus auf der Betriebsebene - Stand und Perspektiven aus systemischer Sicht.

摘要

Mastitis has been one of the main problems for dairy farmers for several decades. Research work over many years has provided a lot of detailed knowledge about the development of mastitis and possible diagnostic and preventive measures. In this review, the potential causes of variance are discussed at different levels: udder quarter, individual cow and herd; and with regard to the potential for diagnostic, preventive and qualitative improvements. Numerous studies show a large variation in the incidence of mastitis within and between dairy farms and indicate a corresponding potential for optimization. However, the diagnostic possibilities of making use of cytological and bacteriological assessments at the level of udder quarters and of conducting comparative and longitudinal analysis are seldom exploited in farm practice. From a systemic perspective, SCC from samples of bulk and tank milk do not provide a suitable diagnostic selectivity and qualitative meaningfulness due to the milk being mixed. Therefore, relevant preconditions are missing for the use of SCC as a quality criterion for added value in national and international competition. For this purpose, it is essential that inter alia the previous milk control plans are expanded to include the assessment of SCC at the quarter level. The issues of animal health and milk quality are of increasing importance due to the interest of consumers in this topic and as an added value in the highly competitive milk market. Nevertheless, many dairy farms still fail to reduce the incidence of mastitis to a low level. It is concluded that the current unsatisfactory situation with regard to the udder health status will not improve while dairy farmers have no clear objectives that they must achieve with regard to SCC at quarter and cow level and the incidence of mastitis. The situation will also continue while farmers have no financial incentives via graded milk prices. The example of udder health clearly shows that the deterministic approach has limits in respect of combating multi-factorial diseases. Complex processes in different subsystems require a complex approach. To assess the effectiveness and efficiency of measures for the improvement of udder health at farm level, there is need for both detailed knowledge and an appropriate allocation of detailed knowledge to the specific farm context by means of a systemic and output oriented approach.