— Lancaster Farming, Saturday, Pec. 11, 1976 24 Mastitis robbing By DIETER KRIEG LEINBACHS, Pa. - A dairymen whose bulk somatic cell counts run consistently between 500,000 and 1 million is losing as much as 10 per cent of potential milk production. If the somatic cell count ex ceeds the 1 million mark, losses in production are calculated to be 15 per cent or more. That’s the word from Dr. Lawrence Hut chinson, Penn State Ex tension veterinarian who was featured at Dairy Days in southeastern Penn sylvania this week. He ad vises dairymen to check their dairy receipts to see whether or not they receive somatic cell information regularly. Just finding out what the count is when the counts are excessively high is not enough, according to the Extension veterinarian, IM-PRUV-ALL Peter Stephens of Genoa, New York who feeds out 350 dairy replacements had John Barnett, Im-Pruv-AII dealer from Elbridge, New York send forage samples of Triple “S” Lab in December 1972. From the test’s results, Mr. Barnett balanced a ration with a ration calculator and custom mixed minerals from a mineral and vitamin composite feed test according to what was lacking in the ration. Within two weeks on the minerals and vitamins, the cattle utilized feed better and hay consumption lowered. The cattle’s general appearance improved, ringworm disappeared and craving and general discontent stopped. This proved to me that balanced programs are the most economical way to operate any feeding operation. As I have had such good results with my cattle, I have tested some fields and am applying recommended Organic Micro-Nutrients to raise better crops. MILK PRODUCTION UP IN MICHIGAN I own and operate a 320 acre dairy farm, north of Fowlerviile with the help of my hired man. We milk 75 head of Holstein cows. Recently, I went on the Im-Pruv-AII feed testing, ration balancing program. My Im-Pruv-Ail Dealer, Tom Bowen, showed me how I could save money on feed costs and come up with improved herd health. I am presently on the Vitamin and Mineral Program. My average milk production has come up 15 per cent per head per day. I am very pleased with Im-Pruv-All’s Feed Testing, Ration Balancing, and Vitamin and Mineral Pr °g rams - Merian Klein 8100 Sherwood Road Fowlerviile, Michigan Ray Weiler Clarence Weiler Melvin R. Weaver 717-569-6576 Robesonia Area John Hensley 215-693-5080 Chester Coun Richard Breckbill 213-932-3307 since the counts can be used as a successful management tool. Hutchinson revealed that Penn State University is conducting tests which are aimed at finding out how somatic cell counts can be used to an even greater degree to determine the presence of udder ab normalities. The program is described as being “fairly representative” with 67 per cent of the tested herds showing counts of less than half a million. Seventeen per cent check in with counts of 500,000 to 1 million, and the remaining 16 per cent tally over 1 million. “About half the dairymen don’t know they’re on the testing program,” Hutchinson told the group. “The highest producers have the lowest counts,” the Extension veterinarian HEIFERS RESPOND TO CUSTOM M-V WOULD YOU LIKE TO IM-PRUV-ALL PROFITS? WEILER BROS. INC. anon & Berks Co, 717-7334302 717-866-6710 continued, “That’s no sur prise,” he quipped. Although the herds with low somatic cell counts are generally free of udder problems and producing milk at or near full potential, they are most susceptible of any group to come down with infections, Hutchinson cautioned. “These cows are very sensitive to management changes and can’t take much variation,” he explained. “The first place to look for signs of trouble is in your somatic cell count,” he reiterated. Also of value are the California Mastitis Test, cultures of milk samples, and a careful evaluation of milk production patterns in relation to the stages of lactations represented. Hutchinson said that 40 per cent' of new mastitis in fections come during the dry Peter S. Stephens Washington County Hagerstown, MD area Carl Eby 301-842-2630 ilumbia. Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland Dale A. Brown 717-752-5387 dairymen cow period, which is a good indication that dry cow treatment is warranted in many herds. Teat dipping is a practice which the former Chester County practitioner strongly recommends. But he em phasizes that a proper procedure must be followed and that the timing of the dipping is most critical. Within the first few minutes after milking is recom mended. Studies have proven that there is a definite advantage to teat dipping. In one study, 9.8 per cent of the quarters were infected with mastitis even though teat dipping had been practiced regularly and properly. That compared with 32.3 per cent of the quarters being infected in control animals which Balanced Ration Saves Vh I used Im-Pruv-AII in my first cutting alfalfa, which went into a 20 x 60 cement stave silo at bud stage. I used H-44 on the bottom two-thirds of the silo and finished out with direct cut using No. 202. The haylage came out smelling good and greenish color. The cows dean the bunk four times a day. Then I put 2nd cutting in the silo with No. 202. I put corn silage in a bunk silo with No. 101. Then, this fad I put Q-55 in my ground high-moisture ear corn in a cement stave silo. - * I had Triple “S" Lab test all the feed and when the tests came back they figured my ration telling me I didn't need to feed any protein. Klein’s took another complete feed sample and sent it to Triple “S” to be tested for minerals and vitamins. Klein’s then sold me the l-P-A Vitamins and Minerals needed to balance the ration. I have been feeding according to this ration for about three weeks and the cows have held up in milk and are gaining in production now- Before switching to Im-Pruv-All's ration balance, I was feeding VA pounds of protein a day. I have now cut out the 1 Vz pounds per day of protein and have also cut down 10 pounds per head per day of high moisture ground ear corn. 1 milk 65 cows and raise all my own replacement animals. Ralph Kunde, Michigan CUTS FEED COSTS *3OO-*4OO PER MONTH Definitely cut down on spoilage. we can now put in direct-cut alfalfa hay without previous problems that were usually occuring in our program. Gary has tested his feed and as a result has balanced his protein and dry matter. He finds that he was over graining his cows. Gary says, “We have cut our feed cost by $3OO to $4OO per month and production does seem to be coming up." The Somes are also on Im-Pruv-AII balanced minerals and vitamins. Barton and Gary Somes Memphis, New York IM-PRUV-ALL weren’t getting their teats dipped. _ Among the effects that can be expected as a result of teat dipping are: lower cell counts, fewer infected quarters, a reduction in Streptococcus agalactae and Staph, aureus organisms and ; improved production. On the other hand, clinical cases of mastitis may become more difficult to treat and gram_ negative organisms won’t be affected at all by teat dip ping, (Neither are such organisms affected by penecillin.) According to Hutchinson, significant progress has been made along the lines of combatting mastitis caused by gram positive bacteria, but much work still needs to be done for other verities of the disease. Also, many cases of mastitis are a direct result of York Countv Bair's Mill 717-252-3114 Union & Sn Norman Brouse 717-524-5454 Cumberland & Franklin Counties Hairy Oberholtzer 717-532-9445 HUTCHINSON environmental problems, he pointed out. ' Hutchinson recommends having milking machines and milking procedures checked by a professional if mastitis is a problem, since the mechanical milker is still a culprit in many cases of mastitis. He also advises that dairymen check the [Continued on Page 27] Protein Lbs. der Counties
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