Effective Strategies for Lowering Somatic Cell Count (SCC) in Dairy Cattle to Improve Milk Quality and Udder Health

1. Hygienic Milking Practices

Pre-Milking Teat Sanitation: Clean and dry teats thoroughly before attaching the milking machine. Use an approved pre-dip sanitizer to eliminate bacteria.
Proper Milking Techniques: Ensure the milking machine is functioning properly to prevent injury to the teat, which can increase SCC.
Teat-End Health: Check for cracked or damaged teats, as these can harbor bacteria. Use emollient-rich post-milking teat dips to maintain healthy skin.
Post-Milking Disinfection: After milking, immediately dip each teat with an effective post-milking teat disinfectant. This reduces bacterial colonization at the teat end.

2. Regular Monitoring and Testing

Somatic Cell Count Monitoring: Regularly test individual cows and bulk tank SCC to track udder health. Identify high-SCC cows for special attention.
California Mastitis Test (CMT): Perform the CMT regularly to detect subclinical mastitis early. Isolate cows showing signs of infection.
Culture Milk Samples: If SCC is persistently high, consider culturing milk samples to identify the specific pathogens causing infections.

3. Prompt Mastitis Treatment

Immediate Treatment of Infected Cows: Treat mastitis infections as soon as they are detected. Use veterinarian-prescribed antibiotics or other appropriate treatments.
Separate High-SCC Cows: Milk high-SCC cows last or in a separate group to avoid cross-contamination with healthy cows.

4. Dry Cow Therapy

Selective Dry Cow Treatment (SDCT): Administer antibiotics to cows with a history of mastitis or elevated SCC at drying off. This helps eliminate existing infections and prevents new ones during the dry period.
Teat Sealants: Apply internal or external teat sealants during the dry period to block bacteria from entering the udder.

5. Proper Milking Machine Maintenance

Regular Inspection: Maintain and calibrate milking machines to ensure they function correctly. Faulty machines can damage teats, leading to mastitis.
Correct Vacuum Levels: Ensure the vacuum pressure is set correctly, as improper levels can cause teat end damage.

6. Improve Cow Comfort and Housing

Clean and Dry Bedding: Provide clean, dry, and comfortable bedding to reduce bacterial exposure. Sand bedding is particularly effective at lowering SCC.
Frequent Bedding Changes: Change bedding frequently, particularly in wet or muddy conditions, to minimize bacterial load in the environment.
Proper Ventilation: Ensure barns are well-ventilated to reduce humidity and prevent bacterial growth.

7. Nutrition and Health Management

Balanced Diet: Provide a balanced diet with sufficient energy, vitamins, and minerals (especially vitamins A, E, selenium, and zinc) to boost immunity and reduce mastitis risk.
Stress Reduction: Minimize cow stress by providing adequate space, proper handling, and comfortable resting areas, which can improve overall health and resistance to infection.

8. Culling Chronic Cases

Culling Persistent High-SCC Cows: Identify cows that consistently have high SCC despite treatment and consider culling them from the herd to protect the health of the overall herd.

9. Vaccination Programs

Vaccinate Against Mastitis: Use vaccines to protect cows from common mastitis-causing pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, particularly in herds with a history of infections.

10. Effective Record-Keeping

Track Individual Cow SCC: Maintain detailed records of individual cows’ SCC, mastitis cases, and treatments. Use these records to identify trends and improve herd management.

Summary

By improving milking hygiene, promptly treating infections, maintaining clean housing, and monitoring cow health, SCC can be effectively lowered in a dairy herd. Consistent implementation of these best practices helps ensure milk quality, herd health, and profitability.

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HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH