AI breakthrough for early detection of mastitis in dairy cows

A research team from the University of Peradeniya has made significant strides in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to detect mastitis, a common but often overlooked disease in dairy cows.

The breakthrough, led by Dr. Bimalka Ranasinghe from the Veterinary Medicine and Zoology Faculty is being hailed as a promising advancement for Sri Lanka’s dairy industry.

Dr. Ranasinghe’s team collaborated with Dr.Damayanthi Herath from the Engineering Faculty, Prof.Chamila Walgampaya and Prof. R. M. C. Deshapriya from the Agriculture Faculty. Research assistant K. M. Devindi also played a key role in the study, which analysed data from around 2,400 cows.

The research collected information such as the cows’ ages, number of calves and milk composition (including fat and protein content). Using this data, the team applied machine learning techniques to identify cows likely infected with the bacteria causing mastitis. Dr.Ranasinghe explained that early detection is crucial as the disease can otherwise remain undiagnosed until severe symptoms develop, leading to significant losses in milk production and quality.

According to Dr.Herath, AI-powered machine learning has proven to be an effective tool for pinpointing infected cows early, even before physical symptoms like swelling or redness in the udder appear. The study found that early identification of affected cows helps prevent the disease from spreading to other animals in the herd.

Mastitis is a growing concern in Sri Lanka’s dairy sector, with 3,700 cases reported between July and September last year – a notable increase compared to the same period in 2022. The infection not only reduces milk yield but also degrades its quality. If left untreated, mastitis can cause irreversible damage to the cow’s mammary tissue, halting milk production permanently.

Moreover, the study highlighted the risk of antibiotics entering the food chain when infected cows are treated, raising food safety concerns. The researchers also found that mastitis negatively impacts the reproductive efficiency of dairy cows, delaying the time between pregnancies.

Dr.Ranasinghe emphasised that this AI-driven detection method allows farmers to isolate and treat infected cows early, preventing further spread of the disease within the herd. The findings also provide valuable insights into the breeds of cows that may be more susceptible to mastitis, offering practical guidance for dairy farmers.

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