Managing mycoplasma bovis in the dairy herd

Managing the risk factors associated with mycoplasma bovis is key to controlling the disease on-farm and protecting naive youngstock

Katie Fallon
Livestock Specialist
clock • 6 min read
The most likely route of M.bovis spreading onto farm initially is via cattle carrying the disease, says Colin Mason.
Image:

The most likely route of M.bovis spreading onto farm initially is via cattle carrying the disease, says Colin Mason.

Endemic within many of the UK's dairy herds, mycoplasma bovis causes several diseases in cattle including respiratory disease, middle ear disease, mastitis and arthritis. Largely affecting calf populations,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358
Register for free Join Now

 

More on Dairy

Roger Evans: "We just shrug our shoulders and try not to spill too much milk"
Dairy

Roger Evans: "We just shrug our shoulders and try not to spill too much milk"

This month, Roger Evans discusses cow's feet, fallen stock and the mysteries of mobile phones

Dairy Farmer
clock 29 June 2026 • 4 min read
Alan Carter: "Will they want smaller dairy farms that can't continually expand in the future?
Dairy

Alan Carter: "Will they want smaller dairy farms that can't continually expand in the future?

In Your Field columnist Alan Carter on the weather in Cornwall, mischievous cows, the Royal Cornwall Show being cancelled, and the decline in dairy farms

Alan Carter
clock 28 June 2026 • 3 min read
Dairy Talk: Becky Fenton: "Unfortunately, milk contracts are not farmer-friendly"
Dairy

Dairy Talk: Becky Fenton: "Unfortunately, milk contracts are not farmer-friendly"

Becky Fenton and husband Paul milk 200 pedigree Holsteins under the Springlebee prefix at Centenary Farm, a Cheshire county council farm. In 2021, they bought a farm in Staffordshire and they plan to farm there once the new dairy set-up has been built

Dairy Farmer
clock 27 June 2026 • 3 min read