|
|
||||||||
Department of Dairy Science University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706
Corresponding author: P. L. Ruegg; e-mail: plruegg{at}wisc.edu.
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between udder and leg hygiene scores of lactating dairy cattle and measures of subclinical mastitis. Study animals (n = 1250) consisted of lactating dairy cows from eight commercial dairy farms. Herds were enrolled during December 2000 and January 2001 and were visited bimonthly for a total of five visits per herd. Udder and leg hygiene scores were recorded by one person using a four-point scale ranging from one (very clean) to four (very dirty). Udder and leg hygiene scores were compared to bacteriological cultures of milk samples and monthly individual SCC values. Mean hygiene scores were 2.09 and 2.33 for udders and legs, respectively. Udder hygiene scores (UHS) were significantly associated with leg hygiene scores and varied among farms. Linear somatic cell scores increased as udder hygiene score increased. Significant differences in somatic cell scores were observed for all contrasts of udder hygiene score, except between scores of 1 and 2 and of 3 and 4. Linear somatic cell scores were associated with leg hygiene scores, but the only significant contrast was between leg hygiene scores of 2 and 4. There was a significant association between the prevalence of intramammary contagious pathogens and udder hygiene score. The prevalence of intramammary environmental pathogens was significantly associated with udder hygiene score and was 7.7, 10.0, 10.6, and 13.5% for UHS of 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The prevalence of environmental pathogens was not associated with LHS. Cows with udder hygiene scores of 3 and 4 were 1.5 times more likely to have major pathogens isolated from milk samples compared with cows with hygiene scores of 1 and 2.
Key Words: mastitis milk quality somatic cell count udder hygiene
Abbreviation key: LHS = leg hygiene score, UHS = udder hygiene score
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
J. E. Breen, A. J. Bradley, and M. J. Green Quarter and cow risk factors associated with a somatic cell count greater than 199,000 cells per milliliter in United Kingdom dairy cows J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2009; 92(7): 3106 - 3115. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. E. Breen, M. J. Green, and A. J. Bradley Quarter and cow risk factors associated with the occurrence of clinical mastitis in dairy cows in the United Kingdom J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2009; 92(6): 2551 - 2561. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
A. M. Elmoslemany, G. P. Keefe, I. R. Dohoo, and B. M. Jayarao Risk factors for bacteriological quality of bulk tank milk in Prince Edward Island dairy herds. Part 1: Overall risk factors J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2009; 92(6): 2634 - 2643. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. A. Fregonesi, M. A. G. von Keyserlingk, C. B. Tucker, D. M. Veira, and D. M. Weary Neck-rail position in the free stall affects standing behavior and udder and stall cleanliness J Dairy Sci, May 1, 2009; 92(5): 1979 - 1985. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. L. Stull, L. L. McV. Messam, C. A. Collar, N. G. Peterson, A. R. Castillo, B. A. Reed, K. L. Andersen, and W. R. VerBoort Precipitation and Temperature Effects on Mortality and Lactation Parameters of Dairy Cattle in California J Dairy Sci, December 1, 2008; 91(12): 4579 - 4591. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. A. Munoz, G. J. Bennett, C. Ahlstrom, H. M. Griffiths, Y. H. Schukken, and R. N. Zadoks Cleanliness Scores as Indicator of Klebsiella Exposure in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2008; 91(10): 3908 - 3916. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Magnusson, A. H. Herlin, and M. Ventorp Short Communication: Effect of Alley Floor Cleanliness on Free-Stall and Udder Hygiene J Dairy Sci, October 1, 2008; 91(10): 3927 - 3930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. I. Parker, C. W. R. Compton, F. M. Anniss, C. Heuer, and S. McDougall Quarter-Level Analysis of Subclinical and Clinical Mastitis in Primiparous Heifers Following the Use of a Teat Sealant or an Injectable Antibiotic, or Both, Precalving J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2008; 91(1): 169 - 181. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. W. R. Compton, C. Heuer, K. Parker, and S. McDougall Risk Factors for Peripartum Mastitis in Pasture-Grazed Dairy Heifers J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2007; 90(9): 4171 - 4180. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
W. K. Fulwider, T. Grandin, D. J. Garrick, T. E. Engle, W. D. Lamm, N. L. Dalsted, and B. E. Rollin Influence of Free-Stall Base on Tarsal Joint Lesions and Hygiene in Dairy Cows J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2007; 90(7): 3559 - 3566. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. I. Parker, C. Compton, F. M. Anniss, A. Weir, C. Heuer, and S. McDougall Subclinical and Clinical Mastitis in Heifers Following the Use of a Teat Sealant Precalving J Dairy Sci, January 1, 2007; 90(1): 207 - 218. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
C. B. Tucker, G. Zdanowicz, and D. M. Weary Brisket boards reduce freestall use. J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2006; 89(7): 2603 - 2607. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
K. Zurbrigg, D. Kelton, N. Anderson, and S. Millman Tie-Stall Design and its Relationship to Lameness, Injury, and Cleanliness on 317 Ontario Dairy Farms J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2005; 88(9): 3201 - 3210. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Hovinen, A.-M. Aisla, and S. Pyorala Visual Detection of Technical Success and Effectiveness of Teat Cleaning in Two Automatic Milking Systems J Dairy Sci, September 1, 2005; 88(9): 3354 - 3362. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
M. Roesch, M. G. Doherr, and J. W. Blum Performance of Dairy Cows on Swiss Farms with Organic and Integrated Production J Dairy Sci, July 1, 2005; 88(7): 2462 - 2475. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |