It's only a matter of time before the leaves start to change and we find ourselves in the middle of fall. As the weather begins to change, you may notice warmer days and cooler nights. These temperature fluctuations tend to create damper bedding for cows. When cows only have access to moist bedding, mastitis cases on your farm may begin to rise. Mastitis is not only an animal welfare concern, but it can also hurt your milk check.

Mastitis is caused by bacteria entering the teat end of a cow. These bacteria multiply and cause an infection in the udder. Wet dirty bedding isn't the only cause of mastitis. Anything that introduces bacteria to the teats, such as using dirty towels during milking, can cause infection. Mastitis can be identified by any flakes, chunks, or discoloration in the milk. This is best identified when you are stripping a cow's teat before milking. Quarters that have mastitis can often present as hard, hot, red, or swollen. If you find a cow in your herd with mastitis, talk to your veterinarian about treatment and write down their advice to use as a future protocol. It is also of paramount importance to record this mastitis case in your farm records or herd management system. Keeping records helps you make informed culling decisions for cows with recurring mastitis or other health issues. 

As always, prevention is the best strategy. To help prevent mastitis, keep bedding clean and dry, fix holes or leaks that let rain into the bedding area, milk only clean teats, and milk sick cows last or with a separate unit to avoid spreading bacteria. As we head into the challenges that fall weather brings, it is important to keep a close eye on bedding to add more when needed. Take extra time each milking to inspect quarters and stripped milk. Preventing mastitis and catching it early can help save you time and money. A little extra attention this fall can go a long way toward keeping your cows comfortable and your milk check steady.

Image Source: Livestock Pathways to 2030: One Health | Why Livestock Matter