Episode 77 - Mastering Mastitis

In this episode, Anne Lee talks with North Canterbury sharemilkers Holly and Aaron Jackson about their dramatic reduction in mastitis early in their career and how they’ve managed to maintain award winning milk quality year after year ever since. They also share a very personal motivation for doing all they can to minimise antibiotic resistance. Holly and Aaron explain their use of innovative diagnostics so they can manage milk quality at a quarter level not just at an udder level. They share the practical systems they now use, from incubating their own samples to managing the herd pre and post-calving and at dry-off. Host: Anne Lee, Senior Journalist, Dairy Country Guest: Holly and Aaron Jackson, Sharemilkers, North Canterbury Holly and Aaron Jackson talk to Anne Lee about the tough lessons they learned when mastitis hit their herd early in their sharemilking career in North Canterbury. They describe how rising cell counts and constant pressure to treat cows created huge stress and financial strain, forcing them to rethink the way they approached herd management. They looked to an innovative solution for identifying pathogens at a quarter level that meant connecting directly with microbiologists. That enabled them to gain a much clearer picture of what was happening in their herd and gave them the confidence to make faster, more targeted decisions and begin regaining control of milk quality. They explain the practical systems they’ve developed since, including incubating their own samples, refining calving management, and implementing on farm protocols that support both prevention and treatment. These changes have not only reduced mastitis dramatically but have also led to consistently low somatic cell counts and recognition through multiple awards. The conversation also delves into the resilience it took to keep going during difficult times, the mindset shift that allowed them to see challenges as opportunities, and how sharing their experiences has encouraged other farmers to take a more proactive approach. Holly and Aaron highlight that improving herd health is not about one big change, but a series of deliberate, practical steps that build towards long-term success, profitability, and pride in producing high-quality milk.