Economic losses due to bovine mastitis in Dutch dairy herds

Abstract

Current annual losses due to mastitis in Dutch dairy herds were calculated to average Dfl. 136 per cow per year, which equals about 12% of net return on labour and management per cow on a typical farm. Reduction in milk and fat yield accounts for 70% of these losses. Streptococcal infections were found to have the highest economic impact, causing almost 40% of total losses. More information should become available to estimate differences in losses between farms. -Authors