Study on mastitis in dairy herds available online

New research is available on how to reduce Klebsiella mastitis in dairy cows in the north country.

Klebsiella mastitis, a bacterial infection similar to E. coli, originates during a cow's dry period, when no milk is being produced. The infection can be fatal to cows.

The Northern New York Agricultural Development Program study, performed by Quality Milk Production Services researchers at Cornell University, Ithaca, is available online for those interested in learning how to prevent the disease in their dairy herds.

Cows infected with Klebsiella mastitis may have a fever and seem depressed and produce discolored, water-like milk.

Research results found that Klebsiella bacteria also can cause a high somatic cell count in milk.

The infection increasingly has been found on farms in Jefferson, Clinton and Lewis counties.

"It's out there, it's a concern," said Ronald A. Kuck, dairy and livestock educator for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Jefferson County.

Bernard G. Gohlert, owner of Hilltop Farms, Route 26, Lowville, said he lost three cows to the disease in 2008 and 2009. The 500-cow dairy farm has had a difficult time dealing with the mastitis infection.

"These cows are fighting for their lives when they get infected," Mr. Gohlert said.

Douglas W. Shelmidine, co-owner of Sheland Farms, County Route 79, town of Ellisburg, has had similar problems with the disease. "We've been challenged with it periodically," he said.

Infected cows can cause financial hardship for farmers. According to the study by Quality Milk Promotion Services researchers, mastitis causes an estimated loss of $200 per infected cow per year, including the costs of treatment and the loss of milk production.

Researchers found animal hygiene to be an important factor regarding exposure to mastitis. Because cows can shed the bacteria in feces, all alleys and stalls should be kept clean. Mastitis also can be found in bedding made from wet sawdust and recycled manure.

"Prevention is the key to the control on this," Mr. Kuck said.

Mr. Gohlert removed 12-year-old sand bedding from his stalls and replaced it with fresh sand to prohibit further infection on his farm. Previously, new sand had been layered atop the old sand.

The old bedding was found to have traces of bacteria in it. Since taking steps to increase cleanliness, Hilltop Farms has not lost a cow to mastitis this year.

Funding for the study was part of a $400,000 grant the state Legislature awarded to the Northern New York Agricultural Development Program.

The report is available at www.nnyagdev.org/PDF/07/NNYADPKlebsiella07Project.pdf.