A safer treatment for mastitis, helping herds and farmers’ bottom lines
Mastitis, udder inflammation/infection, is a leading health issue in dairy herds, responsible for an estimated $2 billion in annual losses for U.S. farmers. New England dairy farms face unique challenges managing this disease due to high care costs for small-scale operations and restrictions on antibiotic use in organically certified dairies. There is a growing need for alternative, non-invasive methods that support animal health while maintaining milk quality and production.
Scientists at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) are investigating the use of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy — a technology already used in human and equine medicine — to improve udder health and reduce inflammation in dairy cows. Conducted at UNH’s Organic Dairy Research Farm, the preliminary study assesses the safety and practicality of PEMF treatment in healthy Jersey cows before testing use on cows with active mastitis. The team includes faculty and graduate researchers from the UNH College of Life Sciences and Agriculture in collaboration with a private technology partner.
In the initial 10-day trial, PEMF therapy showed no negative impact on milk production. Cows receiving therapy twice daily showed reduced somatic cell counts, a key indicator of udder inflammation, suggesting improved udder health. The findings support the potential of PEMF as a non-antibiotic approach to managing mastitis and other inflammatory conditions. The next phase of the study will evaluate PEMF’s effects on mastitis recovery, udder health and milk yield in infected cows.
By exploring a non-invasive and antibiotic-free approach to managing mastitis, this research could offer organic and small-scale dairy farmers a new tool to aid animal health and productivity. Broader adoption of PEMF therapy may help reduce economic losses and reliance on antibiotics, supporting both animal welfare and the profits of dairy producers.
New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station | Project supported by private grants and contracts. Photo courtesy of New Hampshire Agricultural Experiment Station.
