MASTITIS CONTROL USING A UNIQUE TEAT COATING

Mastitis costs the average U. S. dairy farmer approximately $180 per cow annually in lost milk production, cost of antibiotic treatment, and discarded milk. Unfortunately, the disease is obvious only in the clinical form. Subclinical mastitis is about 15 to 40 times more prevalent and accounts for approximately 70% of all economic losses because of reduced milk yield. Many teat germicide products are available but most are not completely effective due to lack of germicidal persistence throughout the intermilking period. The goal of this project is to complete the development of combination teat dip and barrier product which provides persistent protection against mastitis-causing pathogens during the intermilking period. The technical objectives of this study are to: 1) determine final coating formulation, 2) evaluate coatings in vitro for microbiological efficacy, and 3) evaluate coatings in vivo for safety and efficacy.