Oregon State University Is Looking At Mastitis Susceptibility

The impacts of clinical bovine mastitis in dairy cows can be devastating; the culling of ill cows unable to produce milk and loss of millions of dollars in milk to dairy producers annually.  Now researchers at Oregon State University have developed a blood test that can indicate the susceptibility of dairy cows to mastitis after calving.

"When did they start to develop mastitis?” said Researcher Gerd Bobe.  “There is an inflammation going on, so we can determine when would they get infected."

Inflammation occurring three weeks before the onset of mastitis, according to Bobe.  And, as the disease strikes within 30 days of lactation, the test allows producers time to take preventative health action for susceptible animals.

"There are some nutritional supplements for dairy cows available to boost the immune system to combat or help the cow fight pathogen invasion and diseases."

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