engleski

The differences in teat-end hyperkeratosis between Holstein and Jersey dairy cows

Healthy teat skin enable easier cleaning, minimises milking preparation, and finally minimises the risk of new mastitis infections. The changes in teat tissue, particularly in the skin of the teat-end (hyperkeratosis ; TEH) increases the risk of new mastitis infections. Quick detection and removal of the cause of the poor teat condition can contribute to reduction of the somatic cell counts and incidence of the mastitis. The objective of this study was to compare teat- end condition score of Holstein (HB) and Jersey (JB) cows, which were housed in the same farm conditions and milking management. The cows were divided in three groups depending of the lactation number: cows in first, second and third and higher lactation. The statistical analyses were performed in SAS/STAT (ANOVA, Fisher LSD test). Very good score of the TEH in interval between 70 to 88% were determined in both breeds. Furthermore, JB cows had better score for the front teats, but worse for the rear teats compering to HB cows. Regarding the order of lactation, a significant (p<0.05) difference was found between breeds. The TEH of the front teats in JB cows in third lactation were significantly (p<0.05) lower compering to the same lactation group of HB cows. Regarding the rear teats of the observed cows, significantly (p<0.05) higher hyperkeratosis score was found in Jersey cows in first lactation compering to Holstein cows in same lactation. The somatic cell count was found to be higher in JB compering to the HB cows, but not significantly. The obtained results indicate that breed influence on the level of the teat tissue condition. These results could be due to possibly unadjusted milking machines for JB cows, since these two breeds are quite different in body measures.

teat-end hyperkeratosis ; dairy cows ; Holstein ; Jersey

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