Beyond mastitis: rethinking udder health through data and dialogue
In the milking parlour, at the kitchen table, or during a quiet moment in the barn, many of the most transformative ideas in herd health begin with a conversation. Today, udder health is no longer just a clinical concern, it is a shared mission between farmers and veterinarians, powered by data, trust, and collaboration.
We are witnessing a profound shift. Where mastitis once meant reacting to problems, we now have the tools to anticipate them. With rapid diagnostics, smart sensors, and real-time herd data, veterinarians are becoming strategic partners in herd management. The most powerful change in dairy herd health today is not just technology, it is the reconnection between farmers and veterinarians, and the gradual shift of value from antibiotic sales to diagnosis, prevention, and professional advice.
This shift is already visible on farms. By bringing rapid, reliable results on-farm, new diagnostic tools allow farmers to identify pathogens and make informed treatment choices, making Targeted Selective Treatments (TST) possible. This approach can reduce antibiotic use in clinical mastitis by up to 50%, while safeguarding milk quality and cow welfare. It empowers vets and farmers to base decisions on evidence, not assumption. The result: fewer antibiotics, less discarded milk, lower chronic and culling rates, and a deeper understanding of what truly drives udder health at the herd level.
At Vétoquinol, we view every diagnostic result as a starting point for dialogue. When farmers and vets interpret data together from on-farm cultures to Dairy Herd Improvement reports, they unlock smarter, faster, and more impactful decisions. These tools don’t replace veterinary expertise; they amplify it, freeing vets to focus their time and skills where they create the greatest value.
The future of udder health lies in prevention, precision, and partnership. With next-generation diagnostics and intelligent decision-support platforms, science and industry are working hand in hand to deliver practical, scalable solutions to the everyday challenges faced on farms.
“Achieving more together” is not just a slogan, it’s the mindset that allows us to create meaningful, lasting impact. For our herds, our farmers, and the future of our industry, every single day.
Francisco Malcata is a European Veterinary Specialist in Bovine Health Management (Dipl. ECBHM) and holds a Master of Veterinary Medicine (MVM) from the University of Glasgow, where he researched targeted treatments for clinical mastitis. With experience in clinical and academic settings across Belgium, the UK, and France, he is now Global Medical Affairs Manager for Dairy Cows at Vétoquinol, applying his expertise to advance veterinary innovation and evidence-based herd health.
