Assessment of Changes in Udder Half Defects over Time in Non-Dairy Ewes

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Two studies were undertaken to assess the changes in palpable udder half defect (hard, lump, or normal) over time and the prediction of future occurrence in a non-dairy breed (Romney) of ewes. In the first study, a standardized udder scoring method was applied at pre-mating, pre-lambing, docking, and weaning. The second study assessed the udder half defect changes in the first six weeks of lactation. The results show that a higher occurrence of diffusely hard udder halves were observed at either pre-mating or docking, while a higher occurrence of udder half lumps were observed at docking and weaning. Udder halves detected with a diffuse hardness or lumps of various sizes at pre-mating were more likely to have a palpable udder half defect (either hard or lump) at pre-mating, docking, or weaning, within the same year, or at pre-mating in the following year. Udder half defect status was highly variable in early lactation; however, overall, the number of defective udder halves decreased with lactation. Thus, these findings show that the risk of future occurrence of a defect was higher in udder halves previously identified with either hard or lump and, therefore, ewes with diffusely hard udder halves or udder half lumps should be culled and not retained for breeding. ABSTRACT: A total of 1039 non-dairy breed (Romney) ewes were enrolled in two studies to assess the changes in udder half defect status (hard, lump, or normal) over time and to predict the risk of future udder half defect occurrence. In the first study (study A), udder halves of 991 ewes were assessed utilizing a standardized udder palpation method and scored four times a year, for two successive years (pre-mating, pre-lambing, docking, and weaning). The second study (study B) assessed the udder halves at pre-mating, and at six weekly intervals in the first six weeks of lactation in 46 ewes that had defective and normal udder halves. Udder half defect change over time was visualized via lasagna plots, and multinomial logistic regression was used to predict the risk or probability of udder half defect occurrence. In the first study, the highest occurrence of udder halves categorised as hard was observed at either pre-mating or docking. Udder halves categorised as lump had their highest occurrence at either docking or weaning. Udder halves detected with a defect (hard or lump) at pre-mating were more likely (RRR: 6.8 to 1444) to be defective (hard or lump) at future examinations (pre-lambing, docking, or weaning) within the same year or pre-mating the following year, compared to udder halves categorised as normal. In the second study, the change of udder half defect type over the first six weeks of lactation was variable. However, it was observed that the udder half defects, particularly udder halves categorised as hard, decreased during lactation. Failure to express milk in udder halves in early lactation was associated with a higher occurrence and persistency of udder half defects. In conclusion, the occurrence of diffuse hardness or lumps in an udder half changed over time, and the risk of future occurrence of a defect was higher in udder halves previously categorised as either hard or lump. Hence, it is recommended that farmers identify and cull ewes with udder halves categorised as hard and lump.