Occurrence of clinical mastitis and environmental factors favoring its incidence

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of clinical mastitis (CM), in high production Holstein cows, as well as the environmental factors that favoring its incidence. The average milk production of 305 days, according to the class of mastitis was estimated by the method of least squares. The frequencies of clinical mastitis (CM) events were analyzed according to the calving sequences (1-6), year of calving, season and stage of lactation, and infected quarter (right anterior, left anterior, right posterior, left posterior). The frequency of CM ranged from 11.39% in the first calving to 21.18% in the third. 58.56% of mastitis cases occurred in the wet season, and 41.44% occurred in the dry season. The final lactation stage (200 to 300 days) was the period with the highest occurrence of CM (45.33%). The quarter posterior had a higher frequency CM (54.25%). Animals with higher levels of milk production of 305 days showed highest occurrence of CM. We must find a balance between milk production and mastitis in order to increase profitability. The study of the periods of greatest frequency clinical mastitis events is essential for dairy farming, to direct a program to control this disease.

Keywords

• bovinos de leite
• contagem de células somáticas
• características produtivas