Beyond milk quality: innovation, prevention, and technology in modern dairy herd management
For the twelfth time, we gathered as a community of veterinary surgeons, dairy cattle breeders, and milk quality specialists. Thanks to the work of the Association’s members and the support of our partners – companies from the pharmaceutical, dairy, and breeding sectors – we were able to focus on expanding our knowledge, building professional networks, and exchanging practical solutions and recommendations that will help us manage dairy herds even more effectively.
For several years now, we have been broadening the conference agenda beyond strictly milk-related topics. This approach has been met with strong approval, as evidenced by the growing number of inquiries and topic proposals submitted by participants. These contributions offer a broader perspective on dairy herd management and complement key issues related to milk quality and disease prevention. At its peak, the event welcomed more than 400 participants. Fully occupied lecture halls, lively discussions during breaks, and an excellent atmosphere at the gala dinner have become hallmarks of the Stopmastitis.pl conferences.
Friday October 17, began with a lecture on group milking using voluntary milking system technology, presented by Marcin Wasilewski. He outlined a model for organising automatic milking systems in large herds, demonstrating how the appropriate use of groups of milking robots can significantly increase efficiency compared with traditional milking methods, while minimising labour requirements. Contemporary realities increasingly direct our attention towards automation, and the bold thesis that “all cows will be milked automatically” no longer sounds like speculation but rather an emerging necessity.
The next speaker was Dr. Iris Kolkman from The Netherlands, whose first presentation focused on her experience with preventive health programmes in dairy herds. Dr. Kolkman, President of the European College of Bovine Health Management, presented the status of notifiable diseases in The Netherlands and the vaccination programmes used in her practice. A substantial portion of the lecture was devoted to Bluetongue disease, which has also become widespread in Poland. Transmitted by biting midges, it poses a significant challenge in many regions of Poland and Europe. In addition to insect control strategies, participants learned about vaccination schedules, vaccine efficacy, and differing approaches to vaccination protocols.
Dr. Kolkman also delivered a highly engaging presentation on alpacas, which are increasingly encountered as veterinary patients both in Poland and in her own practice. The lecture covered alpaca behaviour, key aspects of husbandry, nutrition, handling, clinical examination protocols, and critical points of caution. The final part addressed the most common and clinically significant diseases, including diagnosis, treatment, examination protocols, and overall management. The presentation provided a wealth of practical and directly applicable information.
Adrian Tavel presented a perspective on pre-milking hygiene and biosecurity in the context of increasing milk yield. Proper implementation and strict adherence to protocols can result in productivity increases of up to nine percent. Moreover, these measures lead to tangible cost savings through reduced milking time, improved milk quality—which may influence milk price—and the prevention of new infections. This is particularly important given the cost and variable effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
The next speaker, DVM Wojciech Skupień, focused on animal welfare. He identified critical control points requiring particular attention and quantified the reduction in productivity associated with neglecting welfare measures. He also addressed the increasingly important issue of public perception of the dairy industry. Although rarely discussed, visibility and public opinion have become crucial in an era where controversial content spreads rapidly online. Providing accurate and positive information is therefore essential.
Subsequently, DVM Paul Cummins from Ireland discussed trace element supplementation in dairy cows, explaining their role, the consequences of deficiencies, and rational supplementation strategies. He addressed both nutritional and injectable approaches, emphasising bioavailability and interactions between elements that influence supplementation outcomes.
The final lecture of the first day was presented by DVM Dawid Król and focused on atypical cases of mastitis. Opportunistic infections, coliform infections, abscesses, and parenchymal damage were described in detail and illustrated with clinical images, providing participants with a valuable knowledge base for diagnosing and managing uncommon and challenging cases. Not all cases respond to treatment, and some unfortunately result in culling or death. On the following day, Professor Paweł Górka presented research on the correlation between calf growth rates and future milk production. The study, conducted in two large dairy herds, demonstrated a clear biological relationship: calves with higher growth rates achieved significantly greater productivity in adulthood. During the milk replacer feeding period, increased daily weight gains resulted in up to 1,700 kg more milk in the first lactation. However, numerous factors beyond liquid feed intake influence this outcome. While doubling birth weight by two months of age is generally recommended, many additional critical points affect growth and future performance.
Overall, the entire “early life” period plays a decisive role. Suboptimal prenatal and early postnatal conditions can programme metabolism towards nutrient conservation, as the developing organism adapts to anticipated future conditions. Conversely, optimal prenatal and early postnatal environments – the so-called “silver spoon effect” – substantially increase the likelihood that the animal’s physiology is programmed for maximal growth and productivity.
Following Professor Górka’s lecture, DVM Przemysław Błaszczyk, a Member of the Polish Mastitis Association, addressed infection control and prevention of Mycoplasma bovis. This atypical bacterium- one of 126 mycoplasma species – causes a wide range of clinical problems, including respiratory disease, arthritis, mastitis, otitis media, conjunctivitis, meningitis, endocarditis, and abortions. Vaccination-based control strategies resulted in reduced treatment needs and improved growth rates, with all cases derived from Dr. Błaszczyk’s own clinical practice.
Dry-off strategies were then discussed by DVM Andrzej Radziwon, who emphasised the critical role of proper dry-off management, as most mastitis cases in the early postpartum period originate during this phase. Antibiotic dry-off methods, intramammary teat sealants, selective dry-cow therapy, and criteria for selecting appropriate strategies were all addressed.
The next lecture was delivered by DVM Michał Makowiecki, another Member of the Polish Mastitis Association, and focused on immunosuppression caused by parasitic infections in dairy cows. Often underestimated, this issue represents a serious health and production problem, leading to decreased milk yield, impaired reproduction, and increased costs. The lecture covered key parasitic threats to calves and adult cows, mechanisms of immunosuppression, and their consequences. Dr. Makowiecki presented diagnostic and monitoring protocols, followed by proven management and prevention strategies, including targeted treatment based on accurate diagnosis.
The final sessions of the 12th Stopmastitis.pl conference focused on technological and legal issues. The first was presented by DVM Jakub Kubacki, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer. His lecture addressed official procedures for managing infectious animal diseases in Poland, including disease monitoring, with particular emphasis on bluetongue disease – thus complementing Dr. Kolkman’s presentation from the first day. Dr. Kubacki also discussed the status of other infectious diseases present in Poland and referred to recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease near national borders, noting that effective measures had successfully prevented its introduction into Poland.
The final presentation of the conference was delivered by Łukasz Szymański who demonstrated practical applications of selected artificial intelligence models. Artificial intelligence is increasingly influencing both professional and private life. Learning to use these tools effectively can facilitate daily work, provided their limitations are understood alongside the new opportunities they offer for veterinary practice.
We would like to thank all participants for an excellent event, valuable discussions, constructive suggestions, shared experiences, and the exchange of views. We are already pleased to invite you to the thirteenth (we are not superstitious) Stopmastitis.pl conference, which will take place on 23-24 October 2026. We promise an even higher standard – both scientifically and socially.
