CROSS SECTION EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON UDDER HEALTH IN SMALL HOLDERS DAIRY FARM

Abstract

An observational epidemiologic study was conducted on 472 dairy cows indigenous 110 and its crosses 362, of 180 Government registered dairy farm in Rangpur milk shed area during September 2010 to August 201 to study association of cow, udder and teat characteristics with udder and teat diseases, milk yield and milk flow rate. Mastitis (28.18%) was most common disease followed by udder skin diseases (16.10%) and teat diseases (13.98%). Prevalence of injuries and other lesions was higher in the skin of fore left udder quarter (22.67% and teat (22.6%) and rear left teat end (6.14%). Mastitis was found to be associated with indigenous and Sahiwal cross cow, poor body condition, bottle shaped teat, teat with round end, injuries and other lesions to the other and teat skin and teat diseases. Udder skin diseases were strongly associated with indigenous cows, cow aged 5- 10 years, small milk vein, larger front udder, bottle shaped teats and flat end teats. Milk flow rate was higher in indigenous and Jersey crosses, poor condition, large milk vein, larger front udder, funnel and cylindrical teats and pointed teat ends. Risk factors of udder and teat diseases, milk yield and milk flow rate in high yielding indigenous and its cross cows are not similar to those of exotic cows and their crosses.