A method for assessing loss in milk yield due to subclinical mastitis

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Abstract
Summary: A method for assessing the loss in quarter milk yield due to subclinical mastitis is proposed. It is based upon two indices calculated from quarter milk yields and results from the assessment of mastitis obtained by measurement of the electrical conductivity of milk. The results were obtained from the cows through repeated quarter-milkings during several months of lactation. The grade of abnormality of a quarter with subclinical mastitis was expressed by the first index, the mean quarter difference of electrical conductivity of milk produced by the quarter (mQdEC, 25 °C). The reduction in milk yield of a quarter presumed to be due to subclinical mastitis was expressed by another index, the quarter yield ratio, R, which is that percentage of normal milk yield produced by a quarter with mastitis. Examination of the relationship between these two indices showed that subclinical mastitis caused a reduction in milk yield in the affected quarters. From the linear regression, it was found that ~3% reduction in quarter milk yield occurred for every 1 x 10–4 S/cm increase in the mQdEC of the quarter with presumed subclinical mastitis.