A DECISION-SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR EVALUATING MASTITIS INFORMATION

A data-driven decision support system, MAST, was developed to summariz e systematically the DHI data related to mastitis. MAST determines wea knesses and problems of a mastitis control Strategy by pinpointing pro blem areas, highlighting the scope of the mastitis problem, providing reference values for comparison, offering potential solutions to probl em areas, and monitoring changes in the control strategy. Advantages o f a DHI data-driven system include accuracy of input data, fast execut ion speeds, access to untapped information available in DHI data, and a consistent analysis of data. An on-farm decision support system allo ws the evaluation of the mastitis control strategy at any time, which in turn increases the value of DHI information. The sequence of the gr aphical results allows users to understand intuitively the overall mas titis problems, find the potential origins, and assess their impact on the herd. Color-coded graphs with supplementary text allow for a rapi d analysis of level and trends over time, as well as comparisons among parities, lactation stages, and active and culled cows.