Evaluation of Chlorine Stability in a Novel Teat Dip Disinfectant System

Chlorine concentrations of a novel generated germicidal compound (8000 ppm available chlorine) and pre (500 and 1000 ppm) and post dip (1000 and 2000 pm) made by dilutions with initial separate additive were very stable over 11, 20, and 42 day trials. Using different additives in pre and post dips (trial 2) or just post dips (trial 3) showed reduction in chlorine to 200 ppm within 24 hrs. This novel technology shows excellent chlorine stability over time (base solution) but also the importance of the additives and their potential effects on these concentrations

Iowa’s Dairy Industry: An Economic Review

The Iowa dairy industry has historically been important in Iowa and remains so yet today as the fifth largest sector of Iowa agriculture. Although the demographics of herd size and location within the state, the positive economic impact of the dairy industry has remained solid. Competitive advantaged that Iowa offers to the dairy industry have resulted in Iowa being the only Midwestern state that has experienced an increase in milk production over each of the past 2 decades (19% over both decades combined). With ample quality feed, stable prices, access to markets, and a strong support system for production agriculture, dairy and its potential for growth will likely continue. The objective of this work and publication was to showcase the Iowa dairy industry, its demographics and the advantages Iowa offers to dairy, as well as the benefits and economic impact the dairy industry brings to local communities, the state, and nation

Field trial evaluations of a novel persistent barrier teat dip for preventing mastitis during the dry period and as a potential substitute for dry cow antibiotic therapy

Dipping of cows at dry off and cows and heifers 10 day prepartum until calving with a persistent barrier teat dip product (developed and patented at ISU) in 2 natural exposure field trials resulted in a significantly lower IMI (particularly major environmental pathogens) at calving compared to controls. Dipping and/or dry therapy resulted in significantly lower new IMI in the early dry period compared to controls, with no difference in new IMI between treatments. Dipping of cows with a new persistent barrier teat dip provides the first cost effective, novel dry cow mastitis prevention tool focused at high susceptibility times and all causative organisms, and also can be a potential substitute for dry cow antibiotic therapy for prevention of new early dry period IMI. This also results in lowering the potential risks of antibiotic contamination of milk

Prevention and Pirlimycin Therapy Strategies for a High Somatic Cell Count Herd: A Case Study

Objective of this field investigation was to: 1) examine the etiology and mastitis infection dynamics in a 45 cow herd and evaluate the efficacy of recommended and extended therapy (S. aureus only) with pirlimycin hydrochloride (Pirsue, Pharmacia/Upjohn Co. Kalamazoo, MI). for gram positive intramammary infections (IMI) . Percentages of cows (quarters) infected with Strep. agalactiae, Strep. dysgalactiae, and Staph. aureus were 15(5); 54(23); 46(24); respectively. Cow and quarter cure rates were: Strep.ag.-100, 100; Strep. dysgalactiae- 77, 86; Staph. aureus- 74, 85%. High cure rates were seen for all organisms possibly due to bacterial strains involved or the limited antibiotic therapy seen in this herd over the previous 10 years. Observations at the final herd visit showed significantly improved teat end health and low new infection rate due to adoption of immediate proposed strategies. Herd SCC was down to 256,000 cells/ml within 1 month post treatment and continued to be 250-350,000 cells/ml12 months later. Targeting prevention and therapy strategies based on causative organisms, and having a monitoring system in place can result in sustained lower SCC and improved milk quality and farm profitability. The objectives of this field investigation were to: 1) examine the etiology and mastitis infection dynamics in a 45 cow herd during the fall-winter whose normal herd bulk tank SCC was 500,000 cells/ml but had jumped to 1 million for 3 months; 2) investigate herd management and procedures and develop and prioritize necessary changes for mastitis prevention; and 3) evaluate the efficacy of recommended and extended therapy with pirlimycin hydrochloride (Pirsue, Pharmacia/Upjohn Co. Kalamazoo, MI). for gram positive intramammary infections (IMI)

Characteristics and Use of Separated Manure Solids (following anaerobic digestion) For Dairy Freestall Bedding, and Effects on Animal Health and Performance in Three Iowa Dairy Herds

This summary provides data regarding characteristics (dry matter content and environmental mastitis pathogen counts) of separated manure solids following anaerobic digestion and usage in freestalls on 3 Iowa dairy farms (separated and used on 1 dairy, transported and used at 2 other dairies). Dry matter content of fresh separated solids was 28-40%. Dry matter content of separated solids once in stalls increased to 60-80% (50-60% during winter). Anaerobic digestion (once properly achieved) resulted in coliform bacteria levels \u3c 10 2 (detection levels) but levels of all bacteria were elevated to baseline stall values following \u3c 12 hr. time in stalls. Cow comfort, cleanliness, and feet and leg health were excellent on the bedded manure solids in all 3 herds. SCC remained constant or decreased following use of separated with no associated increases in clinical mastitis. This data shows that composted manure solids can provide a comfortable, effective bedding source if a consistent product is generated and managed properly, and stall, alley, and milking management areas are optimized. However, presence of other organisms (Johne’s and salmonella) in separated materials should be evaluated and taken into consideration if separated solids from one dairy are used by other dairies

Preliminary Evaluation of Separated Manure Solids Characteristics at the New ISU Dairy

This summary provides preliminary data regarding dry matter content and environmental mastitis pathogen counts in separated manure solids at the new ISU Dairy. Animals were moved to the new dairy on Nov. 26-27, 2007 and manure solid separating was initiated on Nov. 29. Manure solids are separated using a Vincent KP-10 screw press separator. Manure solids dry matter content ranged from 27- 39%. On days where DM% was 27-30%, issues with the separator and system led to enhanced liquid flow into the materials. DM % of 35-40% will be targeted for bedding solids. Total bacteria counts ranged from 106 -10 8 , with alpha streptococci ranging from 10 5 -10 8 . Total gram negatives ranged from \u3c10 2 -10 7 with coliforms ranging from \u3c10 2 -10 4 . Pooled samples are also being tested for presence of Salmonella and Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Johne’s). Refinement of the separation system and further characterization and standardization of manure solids will take place before use as freestall bedding material

On Farm Milk Quality Workshops Pay Dividend$

Producing the highest quality milk and dairy products ensures consumer confidence as well as enhances farm profitability through higher milk production and premium bonuses. Somatic cells or white blood cells are routinely measured in milk (individual cows and bulk tank) as a measure of quality (lower SCC = higher quality). Recent EU requirements of not exceeding 400,000 cells/ ml as an individual producer if milk ends up as part of any EU export product led both producers and industry partners to express concerns as swell as an interest in educational venues and workshops to address key areas in dairy management, somatic cell and mastitis control, dairy product quality, farm and industry profitability, even for producers far below the EU limits (average SCC in Iowa is 233,000 cells/ml). The objective was to create a series of jointly sponsored and conducted milk quality on-farm interactive workshops to address key milk quality areas and enhance farm profitability

Teat Coverage Persistency of Novel Teat Dip Prototypes for Dry Period Mastitis Control

Thirty new experimental persistent barrier type teat dips and one commercial dip for dry cow mastitis control were evaluated for adherence persistency on teat ends of late gestation cows and heifers (1-2 weeks pre-calving). There was tremendous variability both within and across prototype dips, and all products failed to have a high percentage of teats protected at 3 and 5 days post dipping. Stronghold (Alfa-Laval, Inc) showed high percentages of protection (100 and 65%) at 3 and 5 days post dipping. Other issues with prototype dips included viscosity, visibility, and odor

Evaluation of recommended and extended pirlimycin therapy strategies in four high somatic cell count

The objective of these investigations was to evaluate efficacy of recommended and extended therapy with pirlimycin hydrochloride (Pirsue, Pharmacia/Upjohn Co.) for gram positive subclinical intramammary infections in 4 high SCC herds. Cow and quarter S. aureus cure rates ranged from 0–10, and 3–50%, respectively. Variation in cure rates across herds was attributed to differences in initial herd prevalence and herd management, treatment regime, and willingness to make necessary herd management changes. Bacterial cure rates were overestimated at 12 days post treatment. SCC at day 12 post treatment was a better indicator of cure than bacterial culture. This supports that bacterial cure should be assessed at least 21–28 days post treatment. This also supports the use of extended therapies depending on organism involved and chronicity of infection, and that therapy success hinges on herd management practices and attitudes

Characteristics and Use of Separated Manure Solids (following composting) For Dairy Freestall Bedding, and Effects on Animal Health and Performance in an Iowa Dairy Herd

This summary provides data regarding characteristics (dry matter content and environmental mastitis pathogen counts) of separated manure solids following composting and usage on mattresses (North free stall barn) and deep bedded compost freestalls (2 South freestall barns) in an Iowa dairy herd. Dry matter content of fresh separated solids was 20-25%, with composted solids being 20-40% when stored outside (variable due to weather) and 30-50% when stored in a hoop building. Dry matter content of separated solids once in stalls increased to 60-80%. Composting resulted in coliform bacteria levels \u3c 10 2 (detection levels) but levels of all bacteria were elevated to baseline stall values following \u3c 12 hr. time in stalls. Cow comfort, cleanliness, and feet and leg health were excellent on the bedded manure solids. SCC remained constant or declined following use of separated with no associated increases in clinical mastitis. Two clinical mastitis outbreaks were seen during the trial but not correlated to bedding bacterial counts. The first outbreak was associated with coliform counts in bulk tank milk \u3e 200 CFU indicating weakness in milking management and teat end cleanliness prior to unit attachment. The second outbreak coincided with a nutritional management problem and a mild acidosis situation. This data shows that composted manure solids can provide a comfortable, effective bedding source if a consistent product is generated and managed properly, and stall, alley, and milking management areas are optimized