Files
Abstract
Mastitis continues to impact mammary health and milk production in dairy cows. Antibiotic usage is a necessary strategy to protect animal health, however, changes in consumer demand and regulation necessitates reduced antibiotic usage and alternatives to antibiotics (ATA). Our objective was to: a) investigate elements that may contribute to antibiotic success, including utilization of somatic cell counts (SCC), to refine treatment recommendations, and b) evaluate biological microbiomes, including milk microbiota, to identify protective populations. Initial studies herein focused on identifying and testing a SCC threshold value for antibiotic treatment associated with antibiotic success. Results demonstrated that using SCC alone without determining infecting pathogen or cow-related factors is not successful as a treatment strategy. In investigation of an ATA, studies explored the microbiota of rumen, fecal, and milk samples and the potential for essential oil derivatives, such as d-Limonene, to support rumen metabolism and healthy, protective microbiota.