Highly contagious, both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae are considered major mastitis pathogens that can significantly impact dairy producers economically. For the most part, these pathogens cause subclinical intramammary infections that quite often become chronic, John Middleton of the University of Missouri told attendees at the National Mastitis Council regional meeting in Ghent, Belgium, held Aug. 4-6, 2014. Sometimes, though, they can be associated with a high incidence of clinical disease.

The National Mastitis Council, a not-for-profit organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality, holds an annual and regional meeting each year. While typically held in the U.S., NMC regional meetings have also included locations in Canada and Mexico.

While antimicrobials are essential and effective tools for use in humans and animals, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global concern which puts at risk the prevention and treatments of bacterial infections. Increasingly, consumers are concerned about the transmission of resistant bacteria from animals and food that is derived from those animals.

In the past 30 years, manure storage has changed, particularly when it comes to size. As storage facilities grow, thorough agitation becomes a challenge. It’s not just storage size that has changed, though; the consistency and content of manure has changed, too.