Characterization of the milk production chain and study of the dairy herd health in the city of Codó, Maranhão

ABSTRACT In order to characterize the milk production chain and study the dairy herd health in the city of Codó, state of Maranhão, Brazil, a checklist was applied and tests were carried out to detect clinical and subclinical mastitis using mastitis test strip cup and the California mastitis test (CMT), from June to August 2019, in 295 dairy cows from 20 farms. Water and milk samples were collected for microbiological analysis. It was observed that herdsmen do not have adequate knowledge about good agricultural practices. As for milking, only 60% are performed in corrals with coverage, and as for the floor, 60% are made of clay and 40% are made of concrete. In 35% of the properties, the water used in milking management comes from wells and the rest from dams. Pre and postdipping practices, CMT, mastitis strip cup test and the adoption of a mastitis control program are not carried out on any of the properties Two cows tested positive for subclinical mastitis and one cow tested positive for tuberculosis. In the microbiological analysis of the milk, a high count of total coliforms and thermotolerants was obtained, with values between 23 to > 1,100 MPN/mL and < 3.0 to > 1,100 MPN/mL, respectively. The presence of coagulase positive staphylococci was also observed in 25% of the samples. The water samples also showed high contamination by total coliforms between 4.1 to > 2.419.6 MPN/mL and 40% showed the presence of Escherichia coli. These results reflect the need for more investments in technical assistance and technical training for these producers.

摘要 为表征巴西马拉尼昂州科杜市的牛乳生产链条并研究当地奶牛群健康状况，本研究于2019年6月至8月期间，针对20个牧场的295头泌乳奶牛，采用调研清单采集信息，并使用乳腺炎试纸杯（mastitis test strip cup）与加利福尼亚乳腺炎试验（California mastitis test, CMT）开展临床型与亚临床型乳腺炎检测。同时采集水样与牛乳样本用于微生物学分析。调研发现，牧场从业人员未掌握良好农业规范的相关专业知识。挤奶环节方面，仅60%的操作在带有遮蔽设施的畜栏内开展；牛舍地面中，60%为黏土地面，40%为混凝土地面。35%的牧场挤奶管理用水取自水井，其余取自水库。所有牧场均未实施挤奶前药浴与挤奶后药浴、CMT检测、乳腺炎试纸杯检测，也未推行乳腺炎防控方案。检测结果显示，2头奶牛呈亚临床乳腺炎阳性，1头奶牛呈结核分枝杆菌检测阳性。牛乳微生物学分析结果显示，总大肠菌群与耐热大肠菌群计数较高，数值范围分别为23至>1100最大可能数（MPN）/mL、<3.0至>1100 MPN/mL。另有25%的样本检出凝固酶阳性葡萄球菌。水样同样存在较高的总大肠菌群污染，数值范围为4.1至>2419.6 MPN/mL，且40%的水样检出大肠埃希氏菌（Escherichia coli）。上述结果表明，需为这些牧场主提供更多的技术帮扶与职业培训支持。