Clinical Mastitis in Estonian Dairy Cows
Author Information
Author(s): Piret Kalmus, Arvo Viltrop, Birgit Aasmäe, Kalle Kask
Primary Institution: Estonian University of Life Sciences
Hypothesis
Does the housing system and timing of heifer movement to calving facilities affect the occurrence of clinical mastitis in primiparous dairy cows?
Conclusion
Moving heifers to the calving facilities too late in tiestall farms increased the risk for clinical mastitis at parturition.
Supporting Evidence
- Clinical mastitis occurrence in freshly calved heifers was 6.1%.
- Housing system was not a significant risk factor for clinical mastitis.
- Heifers moved to the calving facility less than two weeks before calving had a higher risk of clinical mastitis.
Takeaway
If you move cows to their birthing area too close to when they give birth, they might get sick. This study looked at how this affects young cows in Estonia.
Methodology
A one-year study was conducted in 11 Estonian dairy herds, comparing heifers with and without clinical mastitis using logistic regression analysis.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the limited number of herds and the specific management practices of the selected herds.
Limitations
The number of herds in the study was limited, and sample sizes were small in some herds.
Participant Demographics
The study included 1063 heifers from 11 large-scale Estonian dairy herds.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.001
Confidence Interval
95% CI OR: 1.98–17.66
Statistical Significance
p<0.005
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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