Project

New indicators for improved diagnosis of mastitis and rumen acidosis (Biosens 2.1)

Projectnumber

Responsible

Abstract

Subproject of Improved monitoring and management of milk production and milk quality based on on-farm biosensor technology.

Partners

The Directorate for Food, Fisheries and Agri Business, Lattec I/S

Description

To identify new biomarkers in milk that will make it possible to:

A. Develop in-line methods for determination of gram type, number and viability of udder bacteria in milk.

B. Characterise mastitis type and stage and elucidate their value for monitoring and diagnosing.

C. Diagnose subclinical rumen acidosis.

Today cases of mastitis are often treated with antibiotics before knowing the pathogen causing mastitis. This often results in an incorrect treatment, too much use of antibiotics and risk of decreased product quality and antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Today there are no disease markers for subclinical rumen acidosis in dairy cows. With increasing milk yield the risk of developing subclinical rumen acidosis increases which has large consequences for animal welfare and the economy.

The results of applying the above-mentioned new in-line on-farm methods will be: description of the type of bacteria and the cow's response to mastitis and thus 1) a better and more efficient treatment of mastitis 2) improved animal welfare, correct and reduced use of antibiotics and consequently a lower risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria, 3) automatic separation of milk unfit for human consumption. Further, this subproject will contribute with new biomarkers for rumen acidosis and thus make it possible to prevent rumen acidosis in individual cows more efficiently.

Financing