Impact of mastitis in small scale dairy production systems

Impact of mastitis in small scale dairy production systems

Descripción

Mastitis is the most prevalent production disease in dairy herds worldwide and it is well documented as disease with a heavy burden in developed countries, while very limited information is available for developing countries. This paper reviews the existing literature on the topic of mastitis to assist in the analysis of its occurrence in developing countries, focusing on small-scale farming systems and to provide information on the economic dimension of the disease in resource-poor environments . To the author’s knowledge, there are no pertinent published studies and so the purpose here is to summarize most of the data available on mastitis in resourcepoor environments, with a focus on small-scale producers. The papers reviewed show a significant prevalence of the disease throughout numerous herds in different countries in Africa and Asia, especially in its sub-clinical form. Economic estimates were limited to a few countries and conducted with disparate methodologies. Another issue hi ghlighted is the lack of awareness among farmers of the subclinical form of the disease, and this aspect is of fundamental importance because of the possibility of spreading infectious agents through the herd. The lack of medical treatment means, as demonstrated, an increase in the occurrence of mastitis cases on the farm, a consistent decrease in milk yield (up to 33% per quarter infected), a public health risk due to consumption of unsafe milk, and less efficient processing of milk. The data c ollected and organized can be used as a starting point to concentrate future efforts on the study and control of mastitis and its impact in developing countries, with a focus on its relevance for vulnerable small-scale farmer households.