NEW YORK--As the global dairy industry continues to raise the bar on
milk quality, Pfizer Animal Health recognizes a need for easy access to
resources to help producers improve their milk quality decision-making.
As a result, the company has launched a new online resource —www.milkqualityfocus.com—
offering technical and actionable information on mastitis management and
milk quality.
"We understand the challenges dairy producers face and the constant
commitment they must have to manage mastitis and produce high-quality
milk," says Dr. Bradley Mills, DVM, Veterinary Operations, Pfizer Animal
Health. "With more stringent European Union somatic cell count (SCC)
standards on the way, Milk Quality Focus will provide a timely and
valuable source of technical, practical and easy-to-use information on
mastitis and milk quality."
Each month, Milk Quality Focus will feature video perspectives from
industry experts, veterinarians, dairy producers and processors on a new
topic that incorporates the most recent research and efficacy data on
mastitis therapies; practical and easy-to-implement advice on mastitis
management; and insight on ways to improve milk quality and increase
productivity.
The video series currently posted to the Milk Quality Focus website
explores dry cow mastitis therapies, featuring insights from Sandra
Godden, DVM, DVSc, professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, University
of Minnesota, and Ron Locke, Top ‘O The Morn Farms in Tulare, Calif.
Future videos will highlight and incorporate:
-- Benefits of extended therapy and broad-spectrum treatment;
-- How milk quality impacts the bottom line;
-- Incidence and management of coliform mastitis;
-- Positive impacts of a structured milk quality management plan; and
-- Examining the milk quality supply chain.
Mastitis is a common disease and is estimated to cost the U.S. dairy
industry nearly $1.7 billion annually. 1, 2 Producers who implement a
structured mastitis detection and treatment program will more
effectively combat negative impacts of mastitis, including lowered milk
production, reduced milk quality, extra labor, increased replacement cow
costs, veterinary fees and treatment costs.
"Even if a dairy’s average SCC falls within minimum standards, we have a
real responsibility as an industry to produce the best quality milk on
each operation that we can," Mills adds. "There are real dollars at
stake here and our experience tells us that producers are continually
seeking tips and new information to help make better, more educated
treatment and animal health management decisions. This resource will
serve as another tool in their arsenal."
Dr. Mills advises dairy producers to use Milk Quality Focus as a
starting point for discussions with their veterinarian or animal health
representative about improving their mastitis management program. A
successful milk quality program includes proper identification of
disease, both clinical and subclinical; milk culturing to determine
pathogens and proper treatment options; and appropriate management
techniques to reduce mastitis incidence.
"Milk quality makes a difference — both in the grocery store and on the
dairy operation," Mills says. "We hope this resource will not only help
producers make better day-to-day decisions on the operation, but improve
the quality of milk produced across the dairy product supply chain."
Pfizer Animal Health, a business of Pfizer Inc., is a world leader in
discovering and developing innovative animal vaccines and prescription
medicines, investing an estimated $300 million annually in animal health
product research and development. For more information about how Pfizer
Animal Health works to ensure a safe, sustainable global food supply
from healthy livestock and poultry; or helps companion animals and
horses to live longer, healthier lives, visit animalhealth.pfizer.com.
Website — www.milkqualityfocus.com
— provides expert insight, videos on latest in milk quality.
All brands are the property of Pfizer Inc., its affiliates and/or its
licensors. ©2010 Pfizer Inc. All rights reserved. GDR10057
1 Ott SL, Novak PR. Association of herd productivity and bulk-tank
somatic cell counts in U.S. dairy herds in 1996. JAVMA 2001;218(8).
2 Fetrow, Stewart, Eicker, Farnsworth, Bey. Mastitis: An economic
consideration, in Proceedings. Annu Meet Nat Mast Coun 2000.
Pfizer Animal Health
Laura Pires, 212-733-1102
laura.pires@pfizer.com
or
Bader Rutter & Associates
Laurie Peterson, 262-938-5419
lpeterson@bader-rutter.com