Influence of Pulsation Rate on Udder Health and Teat Thickness Changes in Dairy Ewes

This study tested the hypotheses that machine milked dairy sheep have a high prevalence of teat-end hyperkeratosis (TEH), which contributes to udder health problems. A random sample of 1360 milking ewes from 28 dairy sheep farms was monitored. Milking procedures, milking parlour characteristics and maintenance were recorded during a designated on farm audit; records were obtained through observations and interviews with farmers. Number of ewes/milker, ewes/milking unit and milkings/milking unit were calculated. Vacuum level, pulsation rate and ratio were measured. Four combinations of vacuum level and pulsation rate were defined; <40 kPa and <150 cycles/min (VP1), <40 kPa and ≥150 cycles/min (VP2), ≥40 kPa and <150 cycles/min (VP3), ≥40 kPa and ≥150 cycles/min (VP4). California Mastitis Test (CMT; scores 0–4) was done on all ewes. Then the udder of each ewe was assessed for TEH (scores 1–4) and ewes were assigned into three groups according to TEH severity (no or mild, medium and severe TEH). Severe TEH (scores 3 and 4) prevalence at teat-level was ca. 13%. TEH severity was associated with the combination of vacuum level and pulsation rate; ewes milked with VP4 combination were more likely to have a one-level increase on TEH severity compared to ewes milked with VP2 and VP3 combinations. More ewes/milker and less ewes/milking unit increased the likelihood of a one-level increase on TEH severity. Finally, ewes with severe TEH were more likely to have a one-level increase on CMT score. Therefore, our hypotheses that TEH is prevalent in dairy ewes and contributes to udder health problems were confirmed. Additionally, farmers can reduce TEH prevalence by optimising the way they milk and their milking parlour.

Download Full-text

Influence of Vacuum Level and Overmilking on Udder Health and Teat Thickness Changes in Dairy Ewes

Journal of Dairy Science ◽

10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(03)73997-6 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 86 (12) ◽

pp. 3891-3898 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

C. Peris ◽

J.R. Díaz ◽

S. Balasch ◽

M.C. Beltrán ◽

M.P. Molina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vacuum Level ◽

Udder Health ◽

Dairy Ewes

Download Full-text

Use of milk amyloid A in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in dairy ewes

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029913000484 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 80 (4) ◽

pp. 496-502 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Arianna Miglio ◽

Livia Moscati ◽

Gabriele Fruganti ◽

Michela Pela ◽

Eleonora Scoccia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Status ◽

Subclinical Mastitis ◽

Farm Income ◽

Control Group ◽

Bacteriological Examination ◽

Udder Health ◽

Elisa Kit ◽

Amyloid A ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Dairy Ewes

Subclinical mastitis (SM) is one of the most important diseases affecting dairy ewes worldwide, with negative impact on the animal health, farm income and public health. Animals with SM often remain untreated because the disease may not be revealed. Increase in somatic cell count (SCC) and positive bacteriology for mastitis pathogens in milk samples are indicative of SM but the evidence of only one of these alterations must suggest an uncertain SM (UM). UM is defined when positive bacteriological examination (Latent-SM) or SCC>500 000 cells/ml (non-specific-SM) are detected in milk. Nevertheless, SCC and bacteriological examination are expensive, time consuming and are not yet in use at the farm level in dairy ewes. Recently, a sensitive acute phase protein, amyloid A, displaying multiple isoforms in plasma and different body fluids including mammary secretion (milk amyloid A-MAA), has been investigated as a marker of mastitis in cows and, in a few studies, in sheep. The aim of this trial was to compare the concentration of MAA of single udder-halves in ewes with healthy udder-halves (HU-control group) and naturally occurring subclinical mastitis, both confirmed (SM group) and uncertain (UM groups: Latent-SM and non-specific-SM), for monitoring udder health. The reliability of a specific ELISA kit for the measurement of MAA was also tested. During a 3-month trial period, 153 udder halves were assigned to the experimental groups based on their health status: 25 with SM, 40 with UM (11 with latent-SM and 29 with non-specific-SM) and 88 HU. SCC and bacteriological analysis were performed to establish the control and subclinical mastitis groups. MAA concentrations in milk samples were measured using a specific commercially milk ELISA kit. The data were submitted to statistical analysis. Significant (P<0·05) differences among the groups SM, non-specific-SM and HU were detected with the SM having the highest level and HU the lowest. MAA concentration is affected by the udder health status and is a useful indicator of subclinical mastitis and increased SCC in sheep.

Download Full-text

Relationship between Welfare and Udder Health Indicators in Dairy Ewes

Veterinary Research Communications ◽

10.1007/s11259-005-3172-5 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 83-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. Caroprese ◽

M. Albenzio ◽

A. Muscio ◽

A. Sevi

Keyword(s):

Health Indicators ◽

Udder Health ◽

Dairy Ewes

Download Full-text

Phenotypic and genetic relationships between udder morphology and udder health in dairy ewes

Small Ruminant Research ◽

10.1016/j.smallrumres.2009.12.013 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 88 (2-3) ◽

pp. 77-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Sara Casu ◽

S. Sechi ◽

S.L. Salaris ◽

A. Carta

Keyword(s):

Genetic Relationships ◽

Udder Health ◽

Dairy Ewes

Download Full-text

Effects of machine milking on udder health in dairy ewes

Small Ruminant Research ◽

10.1016/j.smallrumres.2020.106096 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 188 ◽

pp. 106096

Author(s):

Gema Romero ◽

Cristòfol Peris ◽

George C. Fthenakis ◽

José Ramón Diaz

Keyword(s):

Udder Health ◽

Machine Milking ◽

Dairy Ewes

Download Full-text

Field studies show associations between pulsator characteristics and udder health

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s0022029900033628 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 62 (1) ◽

pp. 1-13 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Olav Østerås ◽

Odd Rønningen ◽

Leiv Sandvik ◽

Steinar Waage

Keyword(s):

Positive Association ◽

Strong Relationship ◽

Field Studies ◽

Clinical Mastitis ◽

Significant Positive Association ◽

Udder Health ◽

Bulk Milk ◽

Pulsation Rate ◽

High Incidence ◽

Major Pathogens

SummaryFour different field studies including 64, 140, 850 and 180 herds were used to investigate the association between pulsator characteristics and udder health. The results indicate that the best udder health is found in herds with a d phase > 330 ms and a pulsation rate > 55 min-1. A d phase of < 250 ms was associated with significant elevation in bulk milk somatic cell count, a higher incidence of acute clinical mastitis and a higher frequency of cows having mastitis associated with major pathogens (mainly Staphylococcus aureus) as compared with a d phase of > 331 ms. There was also a significant positive association between a shorter d phase and a high incidence of teat lesions needing veterinary treatment. Herds having no such teat lesions had pulsators with significantly longer d phase than herds with teat lesions (300 ms ν. 288 ms). These results strongly suggest that in high-line milking machines the d phase should not be as short as 250 ms and should preferably be ∼ 300 ms, and the pulsation rate should be at least > 55 cycles min-1. There was a strong relationship between the effect of d phase and the rate of pulsation.

Download Full-text

On-farm udder health monitoring

Tierärztliche Praxis Ausgabe G Großtiere / Nutztiere ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1624622 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 39 (02) ◽

pp. 95-100

Author(s):

J. C. van Veersen ◽

O. Sampimon ◽

R. G. Olde Riekerink ◽

T. J. G. Lam

Keyword(s):

Management Practices ◽

Health Management ◽

Action Plan ◽

Real Life ◽

Health Data ◽

Control Points ◽

Udder Health ◽

Critical Control Points ◽

On Farm ◽

Clinical Problems

SummaryIn this article an on-farm monitoring approach on udder health is presented. Monitoring of udder health consists of regular collection and analysis of data and of the regular evaluation of management practices. The ultimate goal is to manage critical control points in udder health management, such as hygiene, body condition, teat ends and treatments, in such a way that results (udder health parameters) are always optimal. Mastitis, however, is a multifactorial disease, and in real life it is not possible to fully prevent all mastitis problems. Therefore udder health data are also monitored with the goal to pick up deviations before they lead to (clinical) problems. By quantifying udder health data and management, a farm is approached as a business, with much attention for efficiency, thought over processes, clear agreements and goals, and including evaluation of processes and results. The whole approach starts with setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Acceptable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals, followed by an action plan to realize these goals.

Download Full-text