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Prevalence and Effects of Intramammary Infection in Beef Cows

Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station, Homer 71040

Abstract

Prevalence and effects of intramammary infection in 322 beef cows was determined during three calving intervals. Intramammary infection was confirmed in 37% of cows and 18.1% of quarters. Coagulase-posidve staphylococci accounted for 17.9% of infections with Staphylococcus aureus isolated from 7.1% of cows. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and micrococci accounted for the remainder of infectious organisms. Butterfat and total protein levels were reduced 27.3 (P<.05) and 25.5% (P<.01), respectively, in milk from quarters infected with S. aureus. Somatic cell counts were elevated (P<.001) with 3,827 x 10³ cells/ml for S. aureus-infected quarters as compared with 555 x 10³ cells/ml for uninfected quarters. Somatic cell counts were negatively correlated with 210-d calf weaning weights. Staphylococcus aureus-infected cows weaned calves weighing 19.1 kg less (P<.01) than uninfected cows. At a present market value of $1.65/kg, economie losses were placed at $31.43/calf from cows infected with S. aureus in one or more quarters.

¹ Hill Farm Res. Sta., Louisiana Agr. Exp. Sta., Louisiana State Univ. Agr. Center, Rt. 1, Box 10, Homer, LA 71040.

² Anim. Sci. Dept., Anim. Health Section, Hills Building, Univ. of Vermont, Burlington 05403.

³ Dept. of Bot. and Bacteriol., Louisiana Tech Univ., Ruston 71270.

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