The financial benefits of optimal udder health

Udder Health is economically the most important health parameter for every farmer worldwide. Udder Health is not only the result of genetics, it is also an overall result of a healthy animal. By improving animal welfare and general well-being, udder health will be improved directly and indirectly.

Direct costs udder health challenges

Most farmers mention udder health as one of the main challenges on farm. Udder Health challenges cause direct and indirect costs. Direct costs are caused by milk losses due to udder health challenges. Indirect costs are based on milk yield losses and cows that need to be replaced early (Fernandes et al., 2021).

Cows dealing with udder health challenges will lose a lot of energy by activating their immune system. Immune cells require a lot of energy when dealing with a constantly present host. Cows with a healthy udder reach a higher peak in yields and have higher persistence. Daily losses due to udder health challenges will increase from  $1.92/cow per day in the first month to $4.16/cow per day in month 10 (Hadrich et al., 2018).

Figure 1: Estimating milk yield and value losses from increased milk values on US dairy farms (541,594 cows on 11.700 farms). Test days are based on a monthly herd test  (Hadrich et al., 2018).

Indirect costs of udder health via fertility and conception rate

Cows with  increased SCC in their first HT  will demonstrate more udder health challenges in the same lactation, possibly resulting in a higher culling rate (Fernandes et al., 2021). An increased SCC does not only effect udder performance, but also fertility.

Research has shown that even mild udder health challenges lead to a drop in conception rate by  14.3% (Lavon et al., 2011). Cows with udder health challenges will show a lower conception rate  in combination with a lower lactation persistency. These cows have a higher risk at dry off of  a high body condition score, this will not be cost-effective during the end of the lactation. Cows with udder health challenges produce less milk and are therefore less profitable. Due to a lower persistency (Figure 1) and a lower conception rate cows with udder health challenges have a higher probability of being  culled in the same lactation in comparison to a healthy cow.

Udder health protocol

By keeping udders healthy, farmers can prevent difficult decisions. The AHV Udder Health program keeps the udder clean, which results in a better performance. Cows will have a higher persistency, higher milk yield , improved fertility and improved milk quality . This will eventually enable more productive lactations: longevity.

Sources:

• Hadrich, J. C., Wolf, C. A., Lombard, J., & Dolak, T. M. (2018). Estimating milk yield and value losses from increased somatic cell count on US dairy farms. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(4), 3588–3596. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13840
• Fernandes, L., Guimaraes, I., Noyes, N. R., Caixeta, L. S., & Machado, V. S. (2021). Effect of subclinical mastitis detected in the first month of lactation on somatic cell count linear scores, milk yield, fertility, and culling of dairy cows in certified organic herds. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(2), 2140–2150.
• Lavon, Y., Ezra, E., Leitner, G., & Wolfenson, D. (2011). Association of conception rate with pattern and level of somatic cell count elevation relative to time of insemination in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 94(9), 4538–4545. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4293

About AHV

AHV (Animal Health Vision) is the global leader in quorum sensing-powered animal health solutions and advisory services, giving #PowerToTheFarmer to optimise their animal health. Since opening in New Zealand February 2022, AHV has tailored a range of protocols to New Zealand farming challenges to power herd longevity, productivity and profitability. Reach out to your local Territory Manager or call AHV New Zealand at 0800 424 869 to learn more about how AHV can support your farm.