Technology to support mastitis detection
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3 min read
Mastitis can be a significant cost on dairy farms, making timely detection important for animal health, milk quality, and farm profitability. There are mastitis detection tools and technologies available in New Zealand that can support, but not replace, good mastitis management and farmer judgement.
Using tools to support mastitis detection
Mastitis detection tools and technology can help identify cows that may have clinical or subclinical mastitis earlier than visual observation alone.
Some tools can diagnose mastitis, while others provide alerts based on changes in milk characteristics or cow behaviour that may indicate infection. Any cows identified by a technology should still be inspected and assessed before treatment decisions are made.
Improving mastitis management practices remains the first and most cost-effective step for reducing mastitis. Technology may provide additional value where earlier detection, labour efficiency, or improved monitoring are priorities.
How can mastitis detection tools help?
- Identify potentially affected cows earlier.
- Reduce reliance on staff members noticing signs during milking.
- Improve consistency of mastitis monitoring.
- Reduce the number of cows requiring manual inspection.
- Support decision-making and record keeping.
- Improve animal welfare through earlier intervention.
Potential benefits will vary between farms and depend on existing mastitis performance, staff practices, and system management.
The importance of understanding somatic cell count (SCC)
Somatic cell count (SCC) is one of the most widely used indicators of udder health.
When a cow develops mastitis, SCC typically increases as the immune system responds to infection. SCC information can help identify cows with subclinical mastitis and track herd-level mastitis performance.
Farmers can access SCC information through:
- Herd testing.
- On-farm SCC analysers.
- Automated in-line monitoring systems.
Technology should be used alongside SCC information rather than replacing it.
Find out more about managing your somatic cell count
Types of mastitis detection technologies
In-line mastitis detection systems
These systems monitor milk from individual cows during milking and identify changes associated with mastitis risk.
Depending on the system, measurements may include:
- Electrical conductivity (EC)
- Estimated somatic cell count (SCC)
- Milk yield changes
- Milk flow patterns
- Milk colour or blood detection
Some systems measure milk at the quarter level, while others measure at the whole-udder level.
Benefits:
- Continuous monitoring during milking
- Potential for earlier identification of affected cows
- Reduced reliance on manual detection
- Consistent monitoring across milkings
Limitations:
- Require investment and ongoing maintenance
- Alerts still require cow inspection and confirmation
- Accuracy varies between systems and farm conditions
- No system provides a definitive diagnosis of mastitis
Somatic cell count testing
These tools estimate or measure SCC at the cow level.
Examples:
- Herd testing services
- Handheld SCC analysers
- Milk docket SCC readings
- Rapid mastitis test (RMT)
Benefits:
- Identifies cows with elevated SCC
- Supports treatment and culling decisions
- Tracks udder and herd health over time
- Useful for identifying repeat offenders
Limitations:
- SCC alone does not identify the cause of infection
- Results may need interpretation alongside clinical signs and herd records
On-farm milk culture
These systems can identify the bacteria that cause mastitis within 24 hours, allowing farmers to take a milk sample and wait for the result before treatment. Antibiotics are not indicated if no bacteria are grown or if the bacteria are unlikely to respond to antibiotic treatment (e.g. E. coli infections)
Examples:
- Medium based systems use biological culture plates to identify the bacteria.
- Cartridge based systems use a colour change reaction to identify bacteria that causes mastitis and can indicate which antibiotic is most likely to cure the infection.
Benefits:
- Supports more targeted treatment decisions
- Can help reduce unnecessary antibiotic use
- Helps distinguish between different mastitis pathogens
- Supports selective dry cow therapy programmes
Limitations:
- Requires sampling and handling procedures
- Results may still need veterinary interpretation
Cow monitoring sensors and behavioural monitoring technologies
These systems do not directly detect mastitis but may provide early alerts that help identify cows requiring further investigation.
What they monitor:
- Rumination
- Activity
- Eating behaviour
- Water intake
- Body temperature
- Resting behaviour
Benefits:
- Monitors cows continuously
- May identify health issues before clinical signs are obvious
- Can support wider herd health management
Limitations:
- Alerts are not specific to mastitis
- Changes may be caused by a range of health or management factors
Choosing a mastitis detection technology
Before investing in technology, consider:
- Current mastitis performance
- Existing herd management practices
- Labour availability and skill levels
- Compatibility with milking equipment
- Compatibility with herd management software
- Auto-drafting requirements
- Installation and maintenance costs
Ask suppliers for independent evidence of system performance and information on how technologies have been evaluated under New Zealand farming conditions.
Technology is not a replacement for good mastitis management
Technology can support mastitis detection and monitoring, but it does not replace the fundamentals of effective milking practices, good hygiene, routine cow observation, SCC monitoring and following veterinary advice and appropriate treatment options.
The greatest benefits are generally achieved when technology is used alongside a strong mastitis management programme.
Additional resources
For more information on mastitis prevention, detection and management, use:
Mastitis Focus Report
/animal/mastitis/focus-report/
Mastitis performance calculator
Tools & Apps
Mastitis
DairyNZ mastitis management resources
/animal/mastitis/
Your veterinarian or milk quality advisor
/animal/mastitis/mastitis-advisors/
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