MASTERCOW

MASTERCOW is a success case among the 9 projects supported by idea-re in gaining access to the European Commission’s funding program dedicated to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME Instrument).

The market

Every year, 860 million tons of milk are consumed worldwide. Approximately 1/3 of this milk is likely treated with antibiotics, equating to one cup of milk for every three. Currently, antibiotics are the only available therapy to ensure the health of animals and the safety of milk.

World Milk Production (FAO)

The problem

One of the main diseases affecting dairy cows is mastitis. The treatment for this disease, which impacts nearly 40% of the animals, requires antibiotic therapy and the need to discard the milk produced for a period of 15 days from the end of the treatment. The overall cost for a farmer is approximately €440 for each head affected by mastitis, often resulting in negative outcomes, including the potential death of the animal.

Average Total Cost per Head Affected by Mastitis

The solution

MASTERCOW is an alternative method to the use of antibiotics, involving a mammary duct lavage. MASTERCOW eliminates the infection within a few hours and is effective in 90% of cases. Traces of the product disappear within the next 48 hours, with almost immediate resumption of milking. The cost of the therapy is 30% of an antibiotic cycle.

The project

MASTERCOW has received funding from the European Commission under the SME Instrument Phase 1 Program for the development of a feasibility study aimed at defining the technological roadmap and marketing plan to bring the product to European and international markets.