Survey of Intramammary Infections in Dairy Heifers at Breeding Age and First Parturition

Intramammary infections during the periparturient period in Argentine dairy heifers.

Prevalence of intramammary infections at prepartum and postpartum in primigravid heifers from five dairy herds located in the central dairy area of Argentina was determined. Mammary secretion samples from 140 heifers (560 mammary quarters) were obtained 14 days prior to the expected calving day and within 7 days after parturition and subjected to bacteriological analysis. No clinical mastitis c...

Changes in Body Measurements of Heifers at First Parturition

Calving day and age at first calving in Angus heifers.

Because of difficulties in data collection and analysis, in most breeds there have been limited ways to evaluate fertility in females on a between-herd basis. The objective of this study was to determine the heritabilities (direct and maternal) for CD (calving day) and AFC (age at first calving) in American Angus heifers and to evaluate the potential for using these traits in genetic improvemen...

Prevalence of and Risk-Factors for Intramammary Infection in Pasture-Grazed Dairy Heifers in Late Gestation

Mastitis is a common infectious disease in dairy cattle, and is among the most economically damaging animal health problem producers face. Mastitis in dairy heifers is recognised as a distinct problem from that in older cows because of the different pattern of disease (Barkema, Schukken et al. 999; Valde, Lawson et al. 004) and unique factors that determine its occurrence (Waage, Sviland et al....

Effect of prepartum intramammary treatment with pirlimycin hydrochloride on prevalence of early first-lactation mastitis in dairy heifers.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether prepartum intramammary treatment of dairy heifers with pirlimycin hydrochloride would reduce the prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) and lower the somatic cell count (SCC) during early lactation or improve 305-day mature equivalent milk production. DESIGN Prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS 183 Holstein-Friesian heifers (663 quarters) from 2 dairy farms...