RUMI-CARE 360 Operational Group: Improving resistance and resilience to mastitis in small ruminants through advanced AI diagnosis applied to udder morphology and optimization of milking and genetic selection

R1. Implementation. This result will provide a real and objective characterization of dairy sheep and goat farms in relation to the incidence of mastitis and its main risk factors. Through the combined analysis of facilities, health and milking management, and historical milk recording data from the last three years, the critical points that most influence the appearance of clinical and subclinical mastitis will be identified. As a final result, the farms with the highest risk or economic impact will be selected for priority monitoring. The main added value for the farmer is that it transforms routine milk recording information into a management tool, allowing for the detection of hidden production losses. Practical recommendations focus on prioritizing management and milking improvements over treatments, optimizing resource use, and directing investments where they truly generate a return. The professional will be able to use these results to improve productive efficiency per animal and increase the overall profitability of the farm with decisions based on real data.

R2. Implementation. This outcome will provide objective and automated tools for evaluating udder morphology and detecting early signs of stress and inflammation associated with mastitis. Using cameras and artificial intelligence systems applied directly in the milking parlor, precise udder measurements and thermographic records will be obtained without interfering with routine animal handling. The main expected result is the automation of evaluations that are currently costly, time-consuming, and dependent on specialized personnel. The added value for farmers is that it facilitates the identification of animals at higher health risk or with milking problems before they lead to production losses. Practical recommendations prioritize the use of these tools to improve milking routines, reduce overmilking, and select more functional animals. Farmers will be able to leverage these results to reduce healthcare costs, extend the productive lifespan of breeding cows, and improve milking efficiency, thereby increasing farm profitability.

R3. Implementation. This result will allow, for the first time, the definition of reliable and breed-specific cut-off points for total and differentiated somatic cell counts as a practical tool for diagnosing mastitis in sheep and goats. The final result will be a clear interpretation system for SCC and dSCC, enabling early differentiation between healthy animals, those at risk, and those with intramammary infection, thus avoiding common diagnostic errors. The main added value for farmers is that it transforms data already available in milk recording into an early warning signal for decision-making, reducing production losses, unnecessary culling, and other issues. Practical recommendations focus on using the new thresholds to act before clinical mastitis appears, adjusting milking routines, and improving the selection of replacement animals. Farmers will be able to leverage these results to reduce veterinary costs and antibiotic use, improve milk quality, and increase farm profitability through decisions based on objective criteria adapted to their breed and production system.

R4. Implementation. This result will allow for the validation of diagnostic thresholds for total and differentiated somatic cell counts on commercial farms, ensuring that the previously defined values are truly useful under normal management and production conditions. The final result will be a practical mastitis risk classification system that identifies healthy animals, animals at risk, and animals with active or chronic conditions. The main added value for farmers is having a clear tool to prioritize health interventions, avoiding both unnecessary treatments and delays in intervention that generate economic losses. Practical recommendations focus on using this classification to strengthen monitoring of problem animals, adjust milking routines, improve hygiene, and plan preventive measures. Farmers can leverage these results to reduce veterinary costs, decrease antibiotic use, minimize production losses, and improve milk quality, thereby increasing the overall efficiency and profitability of the farm.

R5. Implementation. This result will allow us to verify the real-world usefulness of AI-powered videography and infrared thermography techniques applied directly on commercial farms. The expected outcome is to confirm that these tools function reliably under normal management conditions, without interfering with daily work or increasing the farmer's workload. The main added value is having objective systems that allow for the evaluation of udder morphology and the early detection of inflammation or stress related to mastitis. Practical recommendations focus on using this information to improve milking schedules, reduce overmilking, identify problem animals, and prevent the onset of mastitis before it affects production. Farmers will be able to leverage these results to improve animal welfare, reduce production losses, optimize milking efficiency, and make more informed decisions, with a direct impact on farm costs and profitability.

R6. Implementation. This result will allow the development of genetic evaluation models that incorporate mastitis resistance and resilience as objective criteria within each breed's selection programs. The final outcome will be reliable genetic values and a clear proposal for integrating these traits into selection indices without negatively impacting production or other traits of interest. The main added value for the farmer is that improved health becomes part of the farm's genetic strategy, structurally reducing the problem in the long term. Practical recommendations focus on selecting more resistant breeding stock, improving the longevity of breeding females, and reducing the incidence of mastitis generation after generation. The farmer will be able to leverage these results to make more profitable replacement decisions, reduce premature culling, lower healthcare costs in the medium term, and move towards more stable, efficient, and economically sustainable farms.

R7. Implementation. This result will allow for anticipating the onset of mastitis through predictive models that estimate future risk at both the individual and herd levels. The final outcome will be a tool capable of providing early warnings about animals or farms with a high probability of developing mastitis, enabling action before clinical symptoms appear and associated economic losses occur. The main added value for farmers is the shift from a reactive to a preventative approach, reducing the incidence of mastitis and improving farm work planning. Practical recommendations focus on identifying high-risk animals, adjusting milking routines, strengthening health monitoring, and correcting structural factors that increase the likelihood of disease. Farmers will be able to leverage these results to reduce veterinary costs, optimize resources, improve production efficiency, and increase the economic and health stability of the herd.

R8. Implementation. This outcome will enable farmers to access a web application that integrates all the information generated by the project and clearly and simply displays the mastitis risk level of each animal. The final result will be an accessible digital tool, connected to the associations' management systems, that facilitates daily decision-making without requiring advanced technical knowledge. The main added value is transforming complex data into useful and understandable information, directly applicable to farm management. Practical recommendations focus on using the application to support health management, animal selection, milking planning, and problem prevention. Farmers will be able to use this tool to save time, reduce decision errors, improve production efficiency, and increase the overall profitability of the farm through more precise and proactive management.

R1. Dissemination. This outcome will provide a centralized digital platform that compiles all the practical content generated by the RUMI-CARE 360 project on mastitis prevention in sheep and goats. The final result will be a functional website and a set of clear, visual, and reusable digital materials that facilitate the direct application of recommendations on farms. The main added value for farmers is the ability to easily and freely access useful, up-to-date information tailored to their production needs, without relying on ad hoc consultations. The practical recommendations focus on using these materials as ongoing support for decision-making in management, milking, and animal health. Farmers will be able to leverage this outcome to improve the efficiency of their daily work, reduce management errors, optimize healthcare costs, and stay current, thereby increasing the productivity and competitiveness of their farms through continuous access to applied knowledge.

R2. Dissemination. This outcome will allow for the clear and accessible dissemination of the objectives, approach, and practical benefits of the RUMI-CARE 360 project from its earliest stages. The final result will be an online workshop that will serve as a starting point for engaging the livestock sector, addressing initial questions, and generating genuine interest in the expected results. The main added value for farmers is gaining a comprehensive overview of the project and understanding from the outset how they can benefit from its developments. Practical recommendations focus on using this workshop as an initial learning opportunity and a platform for direct contact with participating technicians and organizations. Professionals can leverage this outcome to align themselves with new tools and preventative approaches to mastitis, anticipate changes in health management, and improve their adaptability, with a positive impact on production efficiency and cost reduction in the medium term.

R3. Dissemination. This outcome will allow for the ongoing dissemination of the project's progress and results through technical articles in specialized media and regular digital content. The final result will be a constant flow of practical information that keeps the sector up-to-date and facilitates the effective transfer of the knowledge generated. The main added value for livestock farmers is receiving verified and applicable information progressively, without having to wait until the end of the project. The practical recommendations are geared towards using this content to introduce gradual improvements in management, milking, and health control, based on real-world experience. Professionals will be able to leverage this outcome to improve their decision-making capacity, compare their situation with other production models, and adopt more efficient practices, reducing production and health losses and improving the profitability of their farms with reliable and accessible information.

R4. Dissemination. This outcome will allow the project's technical results to be translated into clear, visual, and easily understandable educational videos for the sheep and goat sector. The final product will be a series of practical videos showcasing real-world best practices on the farm and explaining how to prevent and anticipate mastitis in a simple way. The main added value for farmers is learning through visual examples directly applicable to their operations, without requiring advanced technical training. The practical recommendations focus on using these videos as regular reference material and to support staff training. Professionals can leverage this outcome to improve the correct application of milking routines, hygiene, and health control, reduce handling errors, and increase production efficiency, with a direct impact on cost reduction and improved animal welfare.

R5. Dissemination. This outcome will allow the project's knowledge to be transferred directly to the field through in-person workshops and a final open session. The end result will be direct contact with livestock farmers, facilitating understanding, the exchange of experiences, and the adaptation of recommendations to each farm's specific production context. The main added value for farmers is the opportunity to resolve specific questions, compare results with other professionals, and see the practical application of the proposed solutions. The practical recommendations focus on using these workshops as spaces for active learning and continuous improvement. Farmers will be able to leverage this outcome to implement changes more tailored to their farms, improve their health and production decision-making, and strengthen the economic sustainability of their production system through proven and shared practices.