The use of animal activity data and milk components as indicators of clinical mastitis

A study was conducted to examine the correlation between a novel behavior monitoring system and a validated data logger. We concluded that the behavior monitoring system was valid for tracking daily rest time in dairy cows (R=0.96); however the correlation values for rest bouts and rest duration were relatively low, (R=0.64) (R=0.47), respectively. Daily monitoring of animal activity and milk components can be used to detect mastitis prior to clinical onset. Data from 268 cases with clinical mastitis and respective controls (n=268) from Virginia Tech and the University of Florida dairy herds were examined. Variables collected included daily milk yield, electrical conductivity, milk fat, protein, and lactose percent, as well as activity measurements including daily rest time, daily rest duration, daily rest bouts, and daily steps taken. Variables were collected for case and control cows in the 14 d prior to and after clinical diagnosis, for a total 29 d monitoring period. A milk sample was aseptically collected upon detection of clinical signs as observed by milker's at both farms. A statistical method (candisc discriminant analysis) was used to combine all measurements and sensitivity and specificity was calculated. Virginia Tech cows on d -1 (sensitivity=95%, specificity=95%), Virginia Tech and University of Florida cows on d -1 (sensitivity=88%, specificity=90). Overall, daily monitoring of animal activity and milk components can detect mastitis prior to onset of clinical signs of disease. This may allow producers to intervene and make proactive management decisions regarding herd health prior to clinical diagnosis.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Dairy Science

Department dc:contributor.department

Dairy Science

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2012

Author dc:creator

• Tholen, Andrea

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Petersson-Wolfe, Christina S.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Akers, Robert Michael
• De Vries, Albert
• Currin, John F.

• animal activity
• milk component
• mastitis
• detection

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Dc Identifier Other

etd-07192012-115725

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/76826