Magazine on Mastitis and Milk quality for the dairy professional

#43_2025

Producer@work

Quality milk production essential on Hawaii’s last dairy farm

7 min read ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

On the remote island of Hawaii, where nearly 90% of dairy products are imported, producing high-quality local milk is both a challenge and a necessity. Cloverleaf Dairy, the last remaining commercial dairy farm in the state, stands at the forefront of this effort. Under the ownership of Bahman Sadeghi, the farm is not only preserving a once-thriving industry but also redefining sustainability in island agriculture. By focusing on milk quality, introducing Jersey genetics to enhance butterfat, and maintaining a predominantly pasture-based system, Cloverleaf is proving that local production can compete with imported supply. In a region where distance drives up costs and supply chains remain vulnerable, the farm’s commitment to fresh, locally produced milk is critical for both food security and consumer well-being.

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Research Phd Theses

The effect of communication skills training in bovine veterinary medicine

3 min read ,  ,  , 

Communication might be the most underrated tool in bovine veterinary medicine. In this M² article, we highlight the key findings from Linda Dorrenstein’s PhD research, showing how targeted communication training transforms not only vet–farmer relationships, but also decision-making, compliance, and overall herd health outcomes.

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Advisor@work

“If we treat a cow because of mastitis, we’ve already lost that battle. But we can still win the war.” 

8 min read ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

This article reflects on a veterinarian’s unexpected journey into mastitis control and herd health management in Hungary’s dairy sector. Rather than focusing on treating individual sick animals, the work emphasizes prevention, data analysis, and herd-level strategies. Modern dairy farms generate vast amounts of data, which—when properly interpreted—can reveal infection patterns and guide effective interventions. However, on-site observations, milk sampling, and communication with farm workers remain essential. Mastitis is not only an economic issue but also a matter of animal welfare and milk quality. Ultimately, preventing disease is more effective than treating it: “If we treat a cow because of mastitis, we’ve already lost that battle—but we can still win the war.”

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Interview

Interview with Dr. Amy. Vasquez

23 min read ,  , 

Amy Vasquez has been an Assistant Professor at Cornell University (Ithaca, New York, USA) since November 2024. Working with Quality Milk Production Services, Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, and the Animal Health Diagnostic Center, she combines research, teaching, and extension focused on milk quality, animal health solutions, sustainability, and dairy cattle welfare. With previous industry roles at Danone/Horizon Organic Dairy and DeLaval, she brings a unique blend of academic depth and practical expertise.

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Focus

Pain management in cattle: what about the udder?

29 min read ,  ,  ,  ,  , 

In this article, Raphael Guatteo sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of mastitis in dairy cows: pain. While mastitis is extensively researched in terms of prevalence, etiology, and treatment, pain assessment and management remain largely absent from mastitis-focused literature. The paper also draws attention to the discomfort associated with udder engorgement at drying-off, a welfare issue that is frequently eclipsed by concerns about mastitis risk. Guatteo provides a practical overview of the current evidence on pain during mastitis, available tools for pain assessment, and strategies to improve pain management under field conditions.

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