The Economic Impact of Mastitis on Dairy Farming

Mastitis is one of the most common and costly diseases affecting dairy cows worldwide. It is caused by bacterial infections of the udder, usually entering through the teat canal, and leads to inflammation, reduced milk yield, and compromised milk quality. While it poses a serious challenge to animal welfare, mastitis also represents a major economic burden for dairy farmers and the entire dairy sector.

The Scale of the Problem

In the European Union, mastitis is estimated to cause €1.5–2 billion in annual losses. These costs are distributed across discarded milk, reduced milk yield, veterinary treatment, antibiotic use, and premature culling. On average, mastitis costs dairy farmers about €185 per cow per year, making it the single most costly disease in dairy farming (Journal of Dairy Research, 2021; CORDIS EU, 2020).

Studies indicate that nearly 40% of cows in European herds may experience mastitis within a six-month period. This high prevalence highlights the importance of prevention strategies, as each case not only affects productivity but also increases the risk of long-term udder damage.

Distribution of Costs

Research has shown that the majority of mastitis-related costs come directly from milk yield losses and discarded milk, which account for around 65% of the total financial impact. The remaining costs are divided among:

• Veterinary treatment and antibiotics (20%)

• Reduced milk quality due to high somatic cell counts (10%)

• Premature culling and animal replacement (5%)

This distribution demonstrates that mastitis affects profitability primarily through lost production rather than treatment costs.

Impact on Milk Quality

A crucial indicator of milk quality is the somatic cell count (SCC). Healthy milk typically contains fewer than 200,000 cells/ml, while mastitis milk can exceed 1,000,000 cells/ml. The EU legal threshold is set at 400,000 cells/ml, and milk above this level loses much of its processing and market value (Archives of Animal Breeding, 2020).

High SCC levels not only affect farm revenues but also undermine consumer confidence and the overall sustainability of dairy production. For processors, elevated SCC translates into reduced cheese yield, shorter shelf life, and lower-quality dairy products.

Broader Economic and Social Impact

The economic consequences of mastitis go beyond direct farm-level losses. Increased antibiotic usage raises public health concerns about antimicrobial resistance, which is a growing issue worldwide. Furthermore, the disposal of mastitic milk contributes to food waste, reducing the efficiency and sustainability of dairy farming.

At a societal level, mastitis places additional pressure on veterinary services and raises concerns for animal welfare. Preventing mastitis is therefore not only about protecting profits but also about maintaining ethical and sustainable farming practices.

Prevention as the Key to Profitability

Because mastitis is so costly and widespread, prevention is more effective than treatment. Good milking hygiene, proper housing conditions, and post-milking teat disinfection are well-established strategies. In addition, new technologies are emerging to further reduce the risk.

Innovations such as teat canal closure systems and advanced diagnostic tools help minimize the infection window after milking, directly addressing the root cause of mastitis. By reducing somatic cell counts and infection rates, these technologies protect both milk yield and quality, ultimately supporting the long-term sustainability of dairy farming.

Conclusion

Mastitis continues to be the most significant challenge in dairy farming, with far-reaching economic, social, and public health implications. With annual losses in the EU dairy sector exceeding €1.5–2 billion, the need for effective prevention strategies is undeniable. Investments in prevention not only safeguard animal health and milk quality but also enhance profitability and sustainability across the dairy industry.

References

• Journal of Dairy Research (2021). Economic impact of mastitis in the EU dairy sector.

• Archives of Animal Breeding (2020). Somatic cell count and milk quality standards.

• CORDIS EU Reports (2020). Mastitis prevalence and cost per cow in European dairy farms.

• Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology. Clinical and subclinical mastitis studies.