Online mastitis survey in Flanders, Belgium: first descriptive results

Abstract

In 2010, an online questionnaire for Flemish dairy farmers focusing on udder health and milk quality management was conducted. The objective of the study was to get more insights in the implementation of the ten-point program in daily practice and to identify herd level risk factors associated with the bulk milk somatic cell count. The following topics were covered: incidence of several diseases such as clinical mastitis and metritis, ..., milking equipment, milking technique, housing, nutrition, dry cow management, treatment of mastitis, and the farmer’s long-term vision. Two hundred and eighty one farmers completed the questionnaire. Preliminary analysis of the data indicate, that even the more basic principles in milking technique, and the use of treatment protocols, are not part of the daily routine of a large proportion of the Flemish dairy farmer. This information has been discussed with small groups of farmers, via roadshows organized within a so called ‘demonstration project’ funded by the Flemish government, and is being used in online communication with the Flemish farmers and their advisors through an e-newsletter (M-news) issued by the M-team monthly. In a next step, the association between udder health management practices and bulk milk somatic cell count, total bacterial count and coliform count on Flemish dairy herds will be evaluated through statistical analyses of the data.