TINE BA develops an online herd health tool to help farmers manage mastitis based on Dr Whist's (pictured) research
A new internet-based tool could help Norwegian dairy farmers cut the incidence of mastitis in their herds. 
A study by Anne Cathrine Whist, a researcher at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Medicine, has shown that a structured program of milk sampling, follow-up and treatment of cattle can reduce mastitis levels significantly. Using this research, the dairy cooperative TINE BA has developed an online herd health tool to help farmers manage the disease.
Dr Whist found that systematic milk sampling, followed by the treatment of animals with high cell counts in their milk, led to a significant reduction in infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, and cut the incidence of clinical mastitis by 15%. The use of teat sealants and disinfectants did not have as good a preventative effect as expected.
In developing the system, Dr Whist studied 213 dairy herds. Animals with high cell counts and demonstrable S aureus or S dysgalactiae, the commonest causes of mastitis in Norway, were given antibiotics and a period of non-milking. The farmer and veterinarian together decided which animals to continue milking, which to treat and which to send to slaughter. The aim was to reduce the infection pressure in the herd and optimize milking routines.
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