Mastitis in dairy cattle with emphasis on strategies to reduce antibiotic use

Abstract

Mastitis is a significant concern in dairy farming, noted for its economic and animal health consequences such as reduced milk production, decreased milk quality and increased culling rates. This thesis investigates the prevalence and management of mastitis in a selected number of Norwegian dairy herds, focusing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Five farms using automatic milking systems (AMS) were selected and investigated via structured interviews and milk sample analysis from the Norwegian mastitis laboratory in Molde, identifying the bacteria responsible for the infection and existing prevention methods from the farmers. Findings identified Staphylococcus aureus as the primary pathogen in the investigated farms, suggesting a need for improved epidemiological measures and better farm hygiene practices.