Mastitis in cows: heifer patterns

Find out how to monitor mastitis infections in heifers and interpret the data.

The impact of new mastitis infections in heifers can be measured by looking at the somatic cell counts (SCCs) at the first milk recording in lactation.

More information can be found in the Dry cow management resource section on Monitoring calving period outcomes. Heifers in this case is referring to cows in their first lactation.

Find out more about the control of heifer mastitis. 

Key performance indicators:

• Less than 10% of heifers with an SCC >200,000 cells/ml at the first milk recording after calving (within the first 30 days of lactation)
• Less than 10% of heifers with a positive California Milk Test at 4 days after calving

As well as monitoring new mastitis infections in heifers by measuring the SCC at the first milk recording, it is also important to monitor the rate at which heifers are reported with clinical mastitis around the time of calving.

Key performance indicator:

• Less than 1 in 12 heifers (or less than 8%) affected with clinical mastitis within the first 30 days of lactation

When the impact of heifer infections is being monitored and understood, we can consider what types of infection may be present and how to implement control measures that are likely to be important for heifers.

Further resources