TY - JOUR

T1 - Bacterial Load of the Teat Apex Skin and Associated Factors at Herd Level

AU - Hohmann, Maria

AU - Wente, Nicole

AU - Zhang, Yanchao

AU - Krömker, Volker

PY - 2020/9/14

Y1 - 2020/9/14

N2 - In order to reduce antimicrobial treatment and prevent environmental mastitis, the aim of the present study was to investigate associations between herd level factors and microbial load on teat ends with environmental mastitis pathogens. Quarterly farm visits of 31 dairy farms over a one-year period were used for statistical analysis. During each farm visit, teat skin swabs, bedding and air samples were taken, and management practices and herd parameters were documented. Total mesophilic bacteria, esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria were examined in the laboratory procedures from teat skin and environmental samples. Esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria on teat ends increased with high THIs in the barn and during the spring and summer. Significantly more coliform bacteria on teat ends were found in herds with an increased percentage of normal or slightly rough teat ends. Cleaning cubicles more frequently, pre-cleaning teats before milking as well as post-dipping them after milking had a decreasing effect of teat skin load with total mesophilic and coliform bacteria at herd level. To conclude, teat skin bacterial load with environmental pathogens is subjected to fluctuations and can be influenced by hygienic farm aspects.

AB - In order to reduce antimicrobial treatment and prevent environmental mastitis, the aim of the present study was to investigate associations between herd level factors and microbial load on teat ends with environmental mastitis pathogens. Quarterly farm visits of 31 dairy farms over a one-year period were used for statistical analysis. During each farm visit, teat skin swabs, bedding and air samples were taken, and management practices and herd parameters were documented. Total mesophilic bacteria, esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria were examined in the laboratory procedures from teat skin and environmental samples. Esculin-positive streptococci and coliform bacteria on teat ends increased with high THIs in the barn and during the spring and summer. Significantly more coliform bacteria on teat ends were found in herds with an increased percentage of normal or slightly rough teat ends. Cleaning cubicles more frequently, pre-cleaning teats before milking as well as post-dipping them after milking had a decreasing effect of teat skin load with total mesophilic and coliform bacteria at herd level. To conclude, teat skin bacterial load with environmental pathogens is subjected to fluctuations and can be influenced by hygienic farm aspects.

U2 - 10.3390/ani10091647

DO - 10.3390/ani10091647

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32937832

SP - 1

EP - 19

JO - Animals

JF - Animals

SN - 2076-2615

ER -