Economic Factors

Disease in dairy cattle can be costly for farmers.  Infections cause a decrease in milk production and drugs needed to treat them are expensive, they may also be loss of the animal and the cost of replacing it.  Therefore prevention is the best method of treatment.  This can be done through:

• Isolation of infected animals

• Disinfectant used during milking process to prevent contamination

• Clean environment for the cows
• Well drained pastures mean that the bacteria dies, as they prefer wet environments.
• A well balanced diet will increase the cows immune system.

Animals can become stressed due to factors that include ration changes, irregular feeding schedules, inadequate access to clean water, and maybe a need for micronutrient supplementation.

Stress due to management can included: Weaning of calves, transport, crowding, and processing.