Get mastitis out of the herd and keep it out

There are two main aspects to a mastitis control programme — get rid of existing infections in the herd, and prevent new infections.

The first step in getting rid of existing infections is to identify and cull chronically infected cows with high SCCs. Good dry cow therapy will help reduce SCC levels, and should be practiced in all herds.

Dry cow therapy will not help chronically infected cows. They should be culled.