Date of Award:

5-1975

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Sciences

Department name when degree awarded

Dairy Science

Committee Chair(s)

Robert C. Lamb

Committee

Robert C. Lamb

Abstract

Data were collected from a 1,000 cow commercial dairy unit during three different time periods to determine the interrelationships between teat shape, teat erosion, mastitis (as measured by the California Mastitis Test and somatic cell counts), and milk production.

Results showed no relationship between teat shape or teat end erosion and milk or fat production. The relationship between teat end erosion and mastitis appeared to be masked by the high level of teat erosion. There was an indication that cows with flat and cone shaped teat ends were prone to higher California Mastitis Test scores than cows with pointed, round, or disk shaped teat ends. Pointed teat ends showed the highest amount of erosion and cone and flat teat ends showed the least amount of erosion. There was a high correlation between the California Mastitis Test and somatic cell counts.

Teat end erosion and California Mastitis Test scores decreased and milk production increased when a change in milking equipment and milking technique occurred and teat dipping was instigated.

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