ABSTRACT
The objectives of this research were to investigate and quantify the influence of the somatic cell count (SCC) on the economic impact of mastitis. The work was carried out by means of data simulation in CU$TO MASTITE software system, taking into account dairy herds with 250,000; 500,000; 750,000 and 1,000.000 cells/mL of milk. Were considered as prevention expenses on monitoring (culture and antibiogram, bulk tank SCC and individual SCC) pre and post dipping, vaccination, treatment of dry cows and maintenance of milking machine. As curative measures, treatment of clinical cases were considered, which percentage was 7% of the lactating cows. The impact of mastitis was estimated as being the total in losses added of expenses on both prevention and treatment of clinic cases. Increased bulk tank somatic cell count influenced directly the economic impact of mastitis. The high economic impact highlights the need for monitoring of clinic and subclinical mastitis and adoption of preventive measures to decrease the impacts. The expenses on preventive treatment represents, in the maximum, 10.8% of the economic impact which demonstrates advantages in investing on that practice, once it will contribute significantly to the decrease of bulk tank SCC and, consequently to reduce the economic impact of mastitis.
KEY WORDS
Dairy cattle; saving; quality of milk; animal health; simulation
Thumbnail
