Preventing the most common dairy welfare problem before it causes suffering
The National Mastitis Council's five-point plan (teat dipping, dry cow therapy, culling chronic cases, proper milking hygiene, good housing) has been the industry standard since the 1970s. Updated evidence supports a refined approach emphasizing risk stratification, selective dry cow therapy, and housing improvements as higher-leverage than previously appreciated interventions.
Environmental mastitis (E. coli, Klebsiella, Streptococcus uberis) is driven by pathogen load in the cow's environment. Deep-bedded sand cubicles show the lowest mastitis rates; sand is a poor substrate for mastitis pathogens. Organic bedding (straw, sawdust) requires careful management to prevent bacterial amplification. Cubicle stocking rate (overcrowding forces cows to stand in contaminated passageways) directly affects mastitis risk.
Blanket dry cow antibiotic treatment (treating every cow at dry-off) is being replaced by selective dry cow therapy (SDCT) — treating only cows with evidence of infection. SDCT reduces antibiotic use by 30-50% while maintaining equivalent udder health outcomes in well-managed herds. Welfare-relevant: teat sealants used in SDCT protect against new infections during the dry period; cows with lower SCC have equal or better protection with sealants than with antibiotics.