Effect of staphylococcal contamination of the bovine udder on milk yield

Authors: Shannon AD, Jones MAS
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 20, Issue 7, pp 113-114, Jul 1972
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Cattle, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Animal production/wastage, Bacterial, Contamination/hygiene, Mammary gland/udder, Mastitis, Infectious disease, Milk, Disease/defect
Article class: Scientific Article

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Abstract: Reduction of milk yield from cows with clinical mastitis has been recorded by a number of workers (Shaw and Beam, 1935; Rowland and Zein-El-Dine, 1938; McDowall, 1945; King, 1967). In addition, the experimental infusion of cultures of Staphylococcus pyogenes into the udders of dairy cows produced clinical mastitis and substantial reductions in milk yields (Wheelock et al, 1966). The purpose of this paper is to describe the effect on milk yield of β-haemolytic staphylococci in the udders of dairy cows not showing clinical mastitis. The number of staphylococci isolated from the milk of these cows was similar to the number isolated from cows managed under commercial conditions found in smaller New Zealand dairy herds (Jones and Shannon, 1972).

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