Countdown to higher quality Ynte Hein Schukken Cornell University Introduction Mean SCC of uninfected cows Cells: friends or foes? We (and cows) cannot live without immune cells: 0 is not an option Can cells get too low? SCC in uninfected quarters -upper 95% confidence interval- Parity: YES! What is a normal cell count?
Better milk quality Cell count and milk production Why 400K and not 200K? International BT-SCC limits Country/group Limit (cells/ml) Australia 400,000 Canada* 500,000 European Union 400,000 New Zealand 400,000 Norway 400,000 Switzerland 400,000 United States 750,000 California 600,000 U.S. milk quality Bulk tank somatic cell count (BT-SCC) Monitored by U.S. Department of Agriculture Data from 4 of 10 Federal Milk Marketing Orders (FMO) Accounts for nearly 50% of US milk supply Herd test-day somatic cell count (TD-SCC) Herds participating in Dairy Herd Improvement (DHIA) somatic cell testing Accounts for 97% of US DHIA herds
U.S. SCC Still,.. there is an issue H. D. Norman, 2010 2009 APHIS data, 4 FMOs U.S. and Canadian SCC New Zealand SCC U.S. TD-SCC Québec BT-SCC Ontario BT-SCC New Zealand TD-SCC New Zealand & Ontario
Very successful reduction The world was watching... Kelton et al. 2011 With little farm attrition SCC and herd size 300003 11000 Milk Production (L) 250003 200003 150003 100003 Milk Production Farms Policy Implementation 10500 10000 9500 9000 Farm Numbers Milk shipped / month (Kg) 50003 8500 3 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 Year 8000 Bulk tank SCC But, more Inhibitor violations
Manage your SCC 400K beat it! NY plan I. Find short term resolution for udder health problems II. Develop realistic goals III. Analyze the underlying problems & perform risk assessment IV. Summarize problems and prioritize solutions V. Continue monitoring and surveillance SCC testing NMC 10-point mastitis prevention plan Management 5: 1. Establishment of Goals for Udder Health 2. Good Record Keeping 3. Maintenance of Biosecurity for Contagious Pathogens and Marketing of Chronically Infected Cows 4. Regular Monitoring of Udder Health Status 5. Periodic Review of Mastitis Control Program Work 5: 1. Maintenance of a Clean, Comfortable Environment 2. Proper Milking Procedures 3. Proper Use and Maintenance of Milking Equipment 4. Proper Management of Clinical Mastitis 5. Effective Dry Cow Management If you don t measure it, you can t manage it Few Cows (<2%) responsible for high counts Chonic vs spikes Segregate Culture Treat Dry Cull Analyze high SCC New infections >8%* Analyze: Heifers vs cows Contribution of individual cows Hygiene Milking procedures Purchased cattle Segregation Days in milk / Dry Seasonality Pen/barn specific effects LACTATION More than 2% of cows are responsible Chronic infections >10%* SCC Patterns: Heifers vs cows Segregate Culture Chronic High SCC Cows Dry off Treat * New Chronic Fresh Top <5% <5% <10% Ok ~8% ~10% ~15% Not ok 8+% 10+% 15+% Spikes High - low - high Chronic high In Lactation Cull/dry Fresh cow infections >15%* Analyze: Heifers vs cows Dry cow treatment Hygiene dry period Minerals Seasonality Heifer facilities Transition mgmt DRY- PERIOD Flowchart - simple Few Cows (<2%) contribute to high SCC Deal with it! High Bulk tank SCC Many Cows (>2%) contribute to high SCC New Infections Chronic Infections >8% >10% Milking procedures Stall hygiene Find and culture Deal with it! Prevent Fresh Cow Infections >15% Dry cow management
New infections are the driving force Main reasons for new infections 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 % New Infections <100 100-200 200-300 300-400 400-500 500-600 600-700 >700 Bulk Milk SCC Presence of mastitis bacteria Environment Infected cows Identifying and treating high SCC cow Milking procedures Establish and follow protocols Milking equipment Operate correct and consistent Manage your cell counts! Ready to change? I. Find short term resolution for udder health problems II. Develop realistic goals III. Analyze the underlying problems & perform risk assessment IV. Summarize problems and prioritize solutions V. Continue monitoring and surveillance Awareness Understanding Preferences Action Implementation Explain high SCC issue Discuss costs Ask whether aware of issues Discuss cause of problem Provide reading materials Ask whether understands Identify potential solutions Discuss costs/benefits Ask preferences To do lists Action points Support implementation Provide follow up Loyalty Success leads to loyalty Countdown to 400K! Important change to accommodate consumers and world markets Questions? Realistic mean BTSCC: < 200,000 Reduction of cell count: logical process achievable for every farm With commitment, success is guaranteed!
Impact of quality premium 390 370 Previous year 350 SCC (1000"s) 330 310 290 Premium year 270 Year of increased premium 250 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 Month Number