Mastitis management and prevention

The aim of the course Mastitis Management and Prevention is for students to develop knowledge and understanding of the methods used for controlling dairy ruminant mastitis in the laboratory and in the farm. Particular attention will be dedicated to emerging technologies for mastitis monitoring and traditional and innovative methods for the identification and characterization of etiological agents, including prevention strategies and alternatives to antibiotics. The aim of the course is also to train students on the appropriate use of scientific terminology in English.

1. Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course, the students will acquire knowledge of the technologies and methods that can be used to detect, monitor and control mastitis and intramammary infections in dairy ruminants. They will also learn and understand the main methods for molecular characterization of pathogens and their usefulness for understanding epidemiological dynamics. They will also learn the usefulness of laboratory techniques and their results as a support to technical actions in the field.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: The students will acquire knowledge and concepts useful for evaluating the different potentials of the methods illustrated during the course. Specifically, how and when to apply the different indirect diagnosis tools for detecting the presence of mastitis in the animal or herd, the different direct diagnostic tools for detecting etiological agents, and the relevant management approaches for the resolution and control of problems in the barn.
3. Making judgments: The students will have to demonstrate that they are able to critically discuss the information acquired. Specific flipped classroom activities are planned in which the student will critically present the results of a scientific paper on the subject. Critical interactions in the farm setting at the individual and group level are also expected.
4. Communication: The students will have to demonstrate the ability to express themselves with scientifically appropriate terminology in English, particularly concerning intramammary infections and mastitis of dairy ruminants. The activities are intended to stimulate the ability to express themselves correctly and the ability to discuss scientifically with peers on the subject of mastitis in English.
5. Lifelong learning skills: the student will have to demonstrate the ability to use the acquired knowledge to monitor and manage udder health of dairy ruminants in the daily farm practice, with the help of available sources of knowledge and a good mental organization. To this end, the course will deal with web resources in English where updated and scientifically validated information can be found.