Summary
This narrative review synthesises quarter-century-old principles and recent evidence for managing environmental mastitis in North American dairy systems. The authors emphasise that reducing moisture and organic contamination through frequent manure removal, avoiding overstocking, eliminating stagnant water, and providing clean dry bedding are critical across all housing types (stall barns, manure pack barns, open corrals, pasture). Management emphasis should prioritise periparturient animals during wet, hot periods when environmental pathogen proliferation peaks.
Regional applicability
The findings are directly applicable to United Kingdom dairy farming, as environmental mastitis control principles transcend housing systems and climate zones. However, UK farmers may need to adapt recommendations to cooler, wetter climatic conditions and differing economic constraints compared to North American dairy operations.
Key measures
Environmental mastitis incidence; pathogen exposure; housing system comparisons; hygiene management practices
Outcomes reported
The paper reviews evidence-based management approaches to reduce environmental mastitis in dairy herds through environmental control and hygiene practices. It synthesises recommendations across different housing systems to minimise pathogen exposure and disease incidence.
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