Summer Mastitis Prevention in Dairy Cattle

Summer mastitis is a painful bacterial infection of the dry cow udder spread by flies. Prevention through fly control and teat sealing protects cattle welfare significantly.

Key Facts

Summer mastitis causes severe acute inflammation, abscess formation, and often loss of the quarter
Arcanobacterium pyogenes is the primary pathogen, spread by the head fly Hydrotaea irritans
Dry cows, heifers, and beef cattle on summer pasture are most at risk
Internal teat sealants at drying off dramatically reduce summer mastitis incidence
Insecticide-impregnated ear tags and pour-on products reduce fly burden on cattle

Welfare Considerations

Summer mastitis is an acutely painful condition - affected cattle show severe systemic illness, high fever, and profound udder swelling and pain. The infection can progress to toxemia and death without rapid treatment. Lost quarters mean permanent production impairment. For dry cows at pasture, the welfare burden is compounded by limited observation and delayed detection. Prevention is dramatically more effective than treatment: teat sealants, fly control, and daily monitoring of at-risk animals during the fly season protect cattle from unnecessary suffering.

What You Can Do

Apply internal teat sealants to all dairy cows at drying off to prevent summer mastitis
Implement fly control through ear tags, pour-on products, and fly traps during summer
Monitor dry cows and heifers daily during the fly season for early mastitis signs
Move at-risk cattle away from fly-attracting woodland edges and wet areas
Maintain adequate fly-free shelter access for at-risk cattle during peak fly periods