Evaluation of udder health parameters of organic and conventional dairy herds in Minnesota

The National Organic Program emphasizes the importance of disease prevention and does not allow organic dairy herds to use antimicrobials for dry cow therapy or for treatment of clinical mastitis. At present, little is known about the impact of these regulations on udder health or management practices on organic dairies in Minnesota. The objectives of this pilot study were to describe bulk-tank somatic cell and bacteria counts, udder health variables, and milking and udder health management practices of organic and conventional dairy herds in Minnesota, and to compare udder health variables and management practices between organic and conventional herds.
American Association of Bovine Practitioners Proceedings of the Annual Conference, 2013