Joe Hogan1 and K. Larry Smith
The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences
Abstract
The demographics of dairy herds in the United States are changing rapidly. The economic justification for producing quality milk guides many on both expanding and static herds to be early implementers of new or rehashed technologies. Mastitis control will be accomplished be employing management practices that either reduce the pathogen load or increase the cows' ability to fight disease. Increasing cow density on a farm tends to counteract both decreased exposure and cow resistence. Sound, fashionable practices are the favor over faddish procedures that are untested.
Introduction
One of the basic truths fitted to all matter, mass, and energy in the universe is "progress travels in a circle". Styles are economically driven by the notion that yesterday's passe is today's popular. Mastitis control procedures in dairy herds also affectionately embraces this secularly accepted axiom. The duration of the cycle of acceptance and rejection depends largely upon the practicality of the procedure, the effectiveness of the practice, and the intangible quality of pizzaz. Things capable of persisting over time due to a prolonged acceptance are regarded as fashionable. Fads are ideas immensely popular for a short time and rapidly fall from favor as the deficiencies are realized. Memories tend to be short and mastitis fads resurface repeatedly.
The demographic shift toward fewer and larger herds is progressing at hyper speed. Commingling herds increases the risk of all diseases. Introduction of pathogenic agents into a herd is a significant liability of herd expansion generally realized by producers before the movement of animals. A less commonly addressed concern is those mastitis control practices adequate for closed herds may be insufficient or detrimental as animals are imported into a herd. Faddish, ineffective control procedures may result in catastrophic situations as herds expand.