Risk factors associated with the bovine subclinical mastitis in an Amazon micro‑region

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the main risk factors for the occurrence of bovine mastitis, in the southeastern of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon. We surveyed 91 dairy farmers to identify management practices and bovine breed characteristics. From each farm, 50 mL of milk sample was collected for microbiological analysis and somatic cell count (SCC). Depending on the management practices and breed, a logit model was used to determine the odds ratio of subclinical mastitis (SCM) occurrence. In irrigated pastures, an SCM-associated risk factor, the occurrence of SCM was 5.03 times higher than that in the non-irrigated pastures. Similarly, in Girolando breed herds, the occurrence of SCM increased by 5.8 times compared to the crossbred herds. Moreover, the occurrence of mastitis was 33 times higher in farms using common cloths for drying teats than in farms using paper towels. Therefore, adoption of better management practices can lead to SCC reduction, milk quality improvement and a guarantee to contain SCC within prescribed Brazilian limits for the Amazon region.