Dramatic increase in the cost of clinical mastitis

Significantly higher milk prices this season have caused the cost of an average clinical case of mastitis to increase substantially.

Countdown has recalculated the cost of an average clinical case of mastitis in the light of current milk prices because the two biggest costs of clinical mastitis are discarded milk and reduced milk production for the rest of the lactation (see table).

Item                                                                                                 $
Cost of treatment (antibiotics, extra time in the shed, risk of vet visit)    45
Discarded milk                                                                                 67
Decreased yield for remainder of lactation                                           76
Risk of mortality                                                                                 5
Risk of culling                                                                                  35
Risk of contaminating the vat with antibiotic residues                            1
Total                                                                                             229
 

In a high producing herd, the cost will be even greater (more milk discarded and an even greater production loss).

Dr Rod Dyson, Countdown project leader says the most important thing is for farmers to know where they stand. “Count the number of clinical cases in the herd each month,” he said.

Too many clinical cases of mastitis can quickly cost dairy farmers a lot of money.

“It’s surprising how quickly the costs add up,” said Dr Dyson.

Farmers should take action if their herd reaches one of the Countdown 'triggers' -

• more than three clinical cases per 50 freshly-calved cows;
• more than five clinical cases per 100 cows in the first month of lactation; or
• more than two clinical cases per 100 cows per month during lactation

Mastitis is both costly and stressful. When a herd hits one of these triggers, there’s likely to be an opportunity to save a lot of money by cutting the number of clinical cases.

Talk to your vet or factory field officer about ways to reduce clinical mastitis in your herd.