The Relationship Among the Hygiene Score, Bedding Type and the California Mastitis Test Score in Family-Type Dairy Farming

It is known that subclinical mastitis has a significant effect on milk yield losses. The hygiene of both the barn and the cow plays an important role in the etiology of subclinical mastitis. In cases where the hygiene score (HS) worsens, the incidence of subclinical mastitis increases. The presented study aimed to determine the relationship between the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis with the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and the Hygiene score (HS). The study was conducted on 80 dairy cows of different breeds from small family-type dairy farms (n=10). Hygiene scores (HS) were recorded in different parts of the body of each animal and the incidence of subclinical mastitis was investigated with CMT in each mammary lobe. When the bedding materials in the barn were compared with the hygiene score (HS); a significant relationship was found between the bedding material of the legs (P=0,037) and belly (P=0,025), respectively. However, no significant relationship was found between the CMT test and the legs and belly (P>0,05). It has been determined that the positivity rate in CMT test results increases in animals with increased hygiene scores (HS). As a result, the relationship between the CMT test and subclinical mastitis and hygiene scores (HS) is thought to be insufficient. No significant relationship was found between the hygiene score (HS) of the rear and animals with positive CMT test results in any mammary lobe (P>0.05). It has been determined that the positivity rate in CMT test results increases in animals with increased hygiene scores (HS). As a result, the relationship between CMT test and subclinical mastitis and hygiene scores (HS) is thought to be insufficient. It would be more effective if the relationship between subclinical mastitis and hygiene score (HS) is supported by Somatic Cell Count (SCC) determination in addition to the CMT test.