Prevalence, Etiology and Self Cure Rates of Subclinical Intramammary Infections in Fresh Cows

Identifying and eliminating subclinical intramammary infections (IMI) present at the time of calving could result in milk quality, cow health and production benefits throughout the future lactation. A multi-site, multi-herd, controlled field study aims to validate the efficacy, and to quantify the cost-benefit of incorporating on-farm culture systems into both clinical and subclinical mastitis monitoring and treatment programs. The objective of this manuscript is to present preliminary results describing the prevalence, etiology and self cure rates of subclinical IMI in fresh cows and quarters.