Udder Hygiene and Mastitis Indicators in Contrasting Environmental Conditions during Half-Time Confinement in Pasture-Based Dairy Systems

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Current intensification in pasture-based systems demands periods of part-time confinement or even complete confinement when pastures are limited. Outdoor soil-bedded yards are commonly used in these systems but can predispose cows to dirtier udders and, therefore, a greater risk of mastitis. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of two types of housing, compost barn and outdoor soil-bedded yard, on udder hygiene and mastitis indicators in Holstein dairy cows calved in autumn and spring. In both treatments, the cows were confined during one interval between milking sessions when a supplement was offered and went out to graze in the other interval. The outdoor soil-bedded group presented a greater percentage of dirty cows compared to the compost barn in both calving seasons. Additionally, outdoor soil-bedded autumn calving cows were dirtier after rain than on days without previous rain. However, no differences in somatic cell count or prevalence of mastitis were found between cows in outdoor soil-bedded and compost barn confinement. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to compare the association between two types of housing, compost barns (CB) vs. outdoor soil-bedded yard (OD), and udder hygiene and mastitis indicators in Holstein dairy cows calving in autumn (n = 31) and spring (n = 27). After calving, cows were transferred to a pasture-based system with half-time confinement in one of two treatments: CB or OD. The udder hygiene score (UHS) was evaluated monthly and on days after rainfall over the entire lactation period. Individual somatic cell count (SCC) was determined throughout lactation, and the prevalence of intramammary infection (IMI) was estimated. Cows confined in OD presented higher UHS compared to cows in CB (p < 0.05) in both calving seasons. After rains, autumn-calving cows in OD were dirtier than on days without previous rain (OR = 1.85, CI 95%: 1.1–3.1; p < 0.02). However, no differences in IMI and clinical mastitis were found between OD and CB cows in either calving season.