Budget-Friendly Subclinical Mastitis Detection
Mastitis, a prevalent concern in dairy farming, not only affects the health and well-being of dairy cows but also results in significant economic losses for farmers. The condition, characterized by inflammation of the udder, leads to reduced milk production, poor milk quality, and increased veterinary costs. Detecting mastitis early is crucial for effective management and prevention of further complications.
As there are lot of diagnostic methods available for detecting the subclinical mastitis, but here I am going to introduce a budget-friendly solution for subclinical mastitis detection and that is the Surf Field Mastitis Test (SFMT).
This rapid diagnostic test offers an affordable alternative, with remarkable cost savings compared to traditional methods like the California Mastitis Test (CMT).
In fact, for just 10 Rs, you can assess the status of 125-135 animals, making it a highly economical choice for dairy farmers.
Prinicple of SFMT for Detecting Mastitis
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The principle behind SFMT is simple yet effective. When there’s an udder infection, the number of white blood cells (somatic cells) increases, which contain acidic DNA. By adding Surf Excel detergent, which is alkaline, to the milk samples, an acid-base reaction occurs, allowing for quick and accurate detection of subclinical mastitis.
What You need to Perform SFMT?
The materials required for SFMT are minimal:
- A plastic black milk paddle with wells for milk samples
- Surf Excel detergent sachets
- Milk samples from individual cow quarters.
Procedure of SURF FIELD MASTITIS TEST to Detect Mastitis
The procedure involves preparing a 3% surf solution, collecting milk samples, adding the solution to the wells, and observing the results for grading.
First prepare 3% surf solution, (add 30g of surf excel in 1 liter of water)
Collect the milk from the suspected teats in corresponding wells of milk paddle (approx. 2ml)
Add approx. 2ml of surf solution to the wells containing milk
Gently mix, and observe the clumping
Grading of Milk After Detection of Mastitis
Grade 1+ means some precipitate observed
If Precipitate are easily observable then it is Grade 2+
Grade 3+ Gell formation
Grade 4+ Mastitis are observable through physical exam (udder inflammation, fibrosis, redness, decrease and watery milk etc)
Conclusion
With SFMT, farmers can promptly identify subclinical mastitis cases and take necessary measures to mitigate its impact. However, it’s important to note that this article focuses solely on the diagnostic aspect of mastitis. For a comprehensive understanding of mastitis, including its causes, signs, and treatment options, I encourage readers to explore the below linked article.