Catalyzing an Open-Community Research and Education Program to Leverage the Microbiome for the Advancement of Organic Livestock Production Using Mastitis as a Test Case
Project Director
Noelle Noyes
Year Funded
2018
Award Number
2018-51300-28563
Funded Institution
University of Minnesota
Grant Program
OREI (Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative)
USDA NIFA Report (alternate)
Project Overview
Mastitis is a devastating disease of dairy animals for which effective treatments that comply with National Organic Program (NOP) regulations are not available. Microbiome-based therapy has emerged as a new frontier in human health, but few studies have been conducted on the role of the udder microbiome in livestock health. This project created an Open-Community Resource for Organic Animal Microbiome Education and Research (Open-ROAMER) consisting of an open-source, curated repository and analysis of udder microbiome data supplemented by educational modules for farmers. The goal is to support research within the organic livestock community leading to microbiome-based tools to combat mastitis and other livestock diseases.
Longitudinal studies of udder/teat microbiomes were conducted on 700 cows from five organic dairies from 8 weeks prior to calving to 4 weeks after. A high incidence of mastitis and associated economic losses was confirmed, and management variables that can modify mastitis risks were identified. Bacterial isolates that suppress Staphylococcus aureus, the most common mastitis pathogen, were identified in the teat apex microbiome of mastitis-free cows. Additional research is needed to explore these organisms as mastitis preventive or treatment for organic dairy cows.
Farmer Takeaways
(1) Most cases of mastitis arise from intramammary infections with Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus spp. that occur prior to calving.
(2) Subclinical mastitis (somatic cell count > 200,000/mL) in the first month after calving reduce milk production, increase cow mortality, and can persist in subsequent lactations.
(3) Weekly iodine treatment during the close-up period (the 21 days prior to calving) can reduce S. aureus incidence from 19% to 4%.
(4) High body condition score (BCS>3.75) at six weeks before calving or milk leakage one week after calving are associated with a 3-fold higher risk of mastitis.
(5) Researchers are exploring several bacterial types in the teat apex microbiome with pathogen-suppressive activity as preventive or treatment tools.
Project Outputs
Open-ROAMER Project Homepage | eOrganic
What is the Microbiome and Why is it Important for Organic Livestock Production? | eOrganic Article
Mastitis in First-Lactation Organic Dairy Cows | eOrganic Webinar
Could Udder Microbiome-based Products be Used as an Alternative Strategy for Mastitis Treatment and Prevention? | eOrganic
Ray T, Gaire T, Dean C, Rowe SM, Godden SM, Noyes NR. The microbiome of common bedding materials, before and after use on commercial dairy farms. Animal Microbiome. 2022 Mar 7;4(1):18.
Fernandes LM, Guimaraes I, Noyes NR, Caixeta L, Machado, V. 2021. Impact of subclinical mastitis detected in the first month of lactation on somatic cell count linear scores, milk yield, fertility, and culling of dairy cows in certified organic herds. Journal of Dairy Science.