The Relationship between Nutrition and the Prevalence of Subclinical Mastitis under Practical Conditions on Holstein Dairy Farms in Three Regions of Albania

¹Agricultural University of Tirana, 1029 Tirana, Albania;

²Agricultural Technology Transfer Centre, Korca.

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Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between nutrition and the prevalence of subclinical mastitis (SCM) on Holstein dairy farms in three regions of Albania. The study was conducted on nine Holstein dairy farms (with 21–140 cows per farm) in the Durrës, Shkodra, and Korça regions. The 8-month study (December 2023–July 2024) covered winter,spring, and summer and included 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lactation periods. Feeding, housing, and hygiene practices were documented via on-site evaluation and farmer interviews, and no changes were made during the study period. On eachfarm, 6–11 cows were tested for SCM using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) at the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd lactation periods. Udder quarter-level scores were recorded. Samples of 27 used rations were collected and analyzed for organic nutrients using near-infrared spectroscopy and for calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) content using chemical methods. The amount of Ca, P, Zn, and selenium (Se), as well as vitamins E, A, and D, in the mineral-vitamin premixes was calculated based on the providers’ declarations. On average, the diets met the recommended requirements for cows producing 14–33 kg of milk per day, though some rations fell below the recommended minimums. Several rations had P and Zn concentrations below the threshold. The mean SCM prevalence was 43.2% (range 0% to 83.3%). The highest prevalence (55.6%) was observed in early lactation. Cows with severe SCM averaged 31.5%, reaching 66.7%. No significant correlation was observed between SCM prevalence and total energy or organic nutrient intake, except for net energy for lactation per kilogram of dry matter. In contrast, SCM prevalence was substantially affected by mineral supply via premixes more than by the same nutrients from basal feeds of diet. Zn, Se, vitamins E and A supplied through premixes showed the strongest association with SCM. These findings underscore the importance of supplementing with Zn, Se, and vitamins E and A to mitigate SCM risk under practical dairy farm conditions in Albania.

Keywords: dairy cows; Holstein; subclinical mastitis; mineral nutrition; feeding level