Matitis Resistance to Enhance Dairy Food Safety

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Bovine mastitis is the most costly infectious disease currently affecting dairy cattle. While significant advances have been made in controlling some types of mastitis, the complex etiology of the disease and ongoing changes in dairy practices dictate that new and more effective methods for control and treatment be developed over time. Single site studies are often limited in terms of expertise and cattle numbers. A multi-State project provides advantages in terms of increased numbers of herds and cattle as well as multiple levels of expertise. The MMRP is a productive group of collaborators that has provided new and meaningful information to all levels of the dairy industry from the bench scientist to the dairy producer on bovine mastitis control, treatment and prevention. In the next 5 years we will continue to pursue collaborative projects under our 3 stated objectives which will lead to new information of value to the management of dairy cattle mastitis. Mastitis is an evolving disease syndrome as is the science which studies mastitis and therefore continued research efforts are needed.

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APPROACH: The purpose of the Multi-State Mastitis Research Project (MMRP) is to coordinate multidisciplinary research efforts on mastitis that are being conducted at various laboratories throughout the United States. The magnitude and scope of attempting to solve these problems extend far beyond the ability of any one institution. The ability to cooperate on a regional and National basis allows the integration of resources and knowledge to address this problem. Recognition of the need for a coordinated effort to study resistance of the dairy cow to mastitis resulted in the design and initiation of the MMRP. The MMRP will provide a forum for new and established researchers to develop collaborative relationships, and to share resources and expertise.