Managing mastitis in dairy cattle for improved production of quality milk: Current status in India

1. Managing mastitis in dairy cattle for improved production of quality milk: Current status in India Reena Mukherjee Senior Scientist Division of Medicine Indian Veterinary Research Institute INDIA

2. Introduction Largest population of dairy animals: Cattle- 185.18 million Buffalo- 97.92 million Highest milk production- 88 million ton/annum Dairying-a promising enterprise. Animal health and milk quality require attention.

3. Cont.. Mastitis is the most common disease of lactating herd. Mastitic milk and treatment pose biggest hurdle in clean milk production. Clean milk means: Milk with low somatic cell count Milk with low bacterial count Preferably free from hazardous residue

4. Bovine Mastitis Inflammation of mammary gland Most commonly inflicted by pathogenic microorganism in immuno-compromised animals. Inflammation mediators cause loss of secretory epithelium. Animal bound and environmental pathogens perpetuate in the dairy environment.

5. Mastitis and economic losses Next to FMD, economically most devastating disease in India. Affected quarters show 30% less productivity and cow looses about 15% production. Prevention and control of mastitis is warranted in post WTO scenario, to export good quality dairy products.

6. Prevention and control of mastitis Mastitis is tackled mainly by Prevention i. Hygiene ii. Vaccination Conservative and supportive therapy Treatment with antibiotics Supportive therapy with Vitamins and trace minerals

7. Hygiene Implementation of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) and ISO certification of dairies. Correct milking time Optimum working of milking machine Segregation of infected animals. Milking the infected animals in last Mapping of pathogens and Antibacterial Sensitivity Test

8. Prevention of contamination at farm level Mastitis control program should be maintained by qualified professionals/ Veterinarians. Strict measures should be taken for- Cleaning of milk biers after each milking and should be kept dry. Animal sheds should be washed with clean water and disinfectants.

9. Cont.. Cleaning of animals Washing of teats and milkers� hands with antiseptics before milking Milkers should be free from any contagious disease Cleaning of milk storage tanks Drying and proper placement of milk storage tanks

10. Conventional vs. Alternative therapy Currently antibiotics are the only proven method of mastitis therapy. Most of the antibiotics are inefficacious and contaminate the milk. Alternative approaches to the treatment are gaining importance globally to reduce the human health hazard. The newer moieties are cytokines, bacterial enzymes, bioresponse modifiers, vitamins and trace elements, medicinal herbs and homeopathic medicines.

11. Agencies working for Mastitis management Holistic approach needed for prevention of disease for clean milk production Agencies working are Research organizations Academic Institutions Dairy Development Organizations Dairy co-operatives Pharmaceutical Companies Private dairies

12. Research Institutions Two bodies of Indian Council of Agricultural Research Indian Veterinary Research Institute- Working on alternative system of Medicine namely Medicinal herbs and bacterial adjuvant & training farmers for mastitis control through Extension activities National Dairy Research Institute- Working on immunomodulation of mammary gland Department of Biotechnology (Ministry of Science & Technology)- Working on Medicinal herbs and pathogen specific bacteriophages

13. Dairy Development Organizations National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)- Apex organization for Dairy Development in India : engaged in state of art research and training activities towards ensuring mastitis free milk UNICEF-NDDB Joint project works on clean milk production in the villages of Rajasthan state to create �Nationwide database on Milk Quality Parameters� in 20 milk Unions.

14. State Dairy Cooperatives 15 State Dairy Cooperative Federations- Organized milk collection Facilitate to produce quality milk to meet international standards particularly focusing on-ISO-9000-2000, ISO,HACCP certification & maintenance of the dairy plants. Milk is processed and marketing of liquid milk by the 170 Milk producers� Cooperative Unions in the country: these milk Unions assure quality milk production. incentives are given to the farmers for clean milk production.

15. All Women Dairy Cooperatives in India Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India: Sponsor All Women Dairy Cooperative Societies in different states Women are trained for clean milk production through Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)

16. State Department of Animal Husbandry (SDAH) & Private agencies SDAH � key stakeholders for livestock development activities, the agency also organize training programme on clean milk production Contract farming in livestock sector is increasingly being taken by Private agencies Several private dairies sell their products by brand names and top priority is given to the management of Mastitis to procure high quality milk.

17. Conclusion Research and Development agencies, cooperatives, government and private sector agencies and farmers are increasingly paying attention to mastitis management for clean milk production. Mastitis prevention and control is one among the top priorities being attended in best possible ways impacting positively towards mastitis free clean milk production in India. India is marching ahead with quality improvement programme in agricultural sector and dairy industry is attracting maximum attention on quality front.

18. THANKS