This will encourage cows to remain standing while the teat sphincter muscle closes the teat orifice after any milking . The transmitting ability of resistance to mastitis appears to be minimal and may only be circumstantial. However, selecting sires whose daughters have good teat placement, well-suspended udders, good feet and legs, moderate teat length and who exhibit a tendency towards low SCC levels and similar desirable characteristics is worthwhile. Differences between susceptibility to contagious vs. environmental pathogens have not been evaluated. Although worthy of consideration, do not base your breeding program on SCC tendency only.
Genetic tendency is of little benefit in a poorly managed herd.
Vaccination Presently, several companies manufacture and market approved vaccines to aid in the control of specific types of udder infections. Fringe benefits may include reduced risk of acute coliform infections and prevention of possible gangrenous mastitis from a few of the other available vaccines. Vaccination is not a substitute for proper management. Avoid the tendency to place too much confidence in the vaccine preparation and neglect the importance of sanitary milking procedures, proper milking system func- tion and sanitation of the cow environment. Mastitis problems can only be managed or controlled with total quality management.