Episode 341 - Stop Mastitis Before It Starts: Pre-Calving Training That Works - UMN Extension's The Moos Room

 In this episode of The Moos Room, Brad shares insights from a recent study at the University of Minnesota Morris dairy focused on reducing mastitis and improving behavior in first-lactation heifers. The research tested a simple, low-labor strategy: bringing heifers into the parlor once per week for three weeks before calving, gently acclimating them, and applying a 1% iodine teat dip. Results showed that trained heifers were calmer, easier to milk, and significantly less likely to kick during milking, improving both animal welfare and milker safety. While overall clinical mastitis rates did not differ, the treatment notably reduced Staphylococcus aureus infections, with untrained heifers having five times greater odds of infection shortly after calving. The episode highlights how small, proactive management steps before calving can break the cycle of stress, poor behavior, and disease—offering a practical approach to improving transition success in dairy heifers.

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