A proven milking routine helps every dairy farm control SCC and protect milk quality. High somatic cell counts reduce milk yield, cause off-flavors, and lower cheese production efficiency. Many regions set strict limits for SCC in milk, as shown below:
Hygiene, careful milking technique, and regular use of a somatic cell count tester play key roles. Each farm can assess its current practices and strive for better results.
Key Takeaways
- Prioritize cow health by conducting regular health checks. This helps identify infections early and prevents their spread, leading to lower somatic cell counts.
- Implement a calm milking environment. Gentle handling reduces stress in cows, which supports better milk letdown and lowers the risk of mastitis.
- Maintain clean teats before and after milking. Regular cleaning and drying practices minimize bacterial contamination and help keep somatic cell counts low.
- Use a somatic cell count tester monthly. This tool allows for quick detection of subclinical mastitis, helping to manage udder health effectively.
- Follow a structured milking routine with proper pre-dip and post-dip procedures. These steps significantly reduce the risk of infections and improve overall milk quality.
Cow Preparation for Lower SCC
Check Cow Health
Dairy farms must prioritize cow health to reduce somatic cell counts and maintain high milk quality. Regular health checks help identify infections early and prevent their spread. Farms should monitor somatic cell counts, culture milk samples, and control infections by separating affected cows. Proper milking procedures before and after each session also play a vital role in reducing infection risk.
| Health Check Recommendation | Description |
|---|---|
| Monitor somatic cell counts | Important for determining udder health. High SCC can indicate infections. |
| Culture milk | Helps identify if the problem is environmental or contagious. |
| Control infections | Separate infected cows and maintain clean bedding. |
| Maintain milking procedures | Ensure proper pre- and post-milking routines to reduce infection risk. |
Calm Cow Movement
Cows respond best to calm and gentle handling. Stress can increase the risk of mastitis and negatively affect milk letdown. Handlers should move cows quietly and avoid shouting or sudden movements. Calm cows enter the parlor more willingly, which supports a smooth milking routine and helps reduce somatic cell counts.
Clean Teats
Clean teats are essential for udder preparation and milk quality. Farms should remove manure and dirt from the udder and teats before milking. Regular grooming and bedding maintenance prevent bacteria buildup. Trimming hair around the udder reduces dirt and manure accumulation. Clean teats lower the risk of introducing bacteria into the milk, which helps reduce somatic cell counts.
| Practice | Impact on SCC Levels |
|---|---|
| Frequent Manure Removal | Reduces SCC |
| Pre-milking Udder Washing | Minimizes bacterial contamination |
| Post-milking Teat Disinfection | Reduces bacterial contamination |
| Cow Cleanliness Level | Somatic Cell Linear Scores (SCLS) |
|---|---|
| Very Clean | Lowest SCLS |
| Clean | Higher than very clean |
| Dirty | Higher than clean |
| Very Dirty | Highest SCLS |
Dry Teats
Drying teats before attaching the milking unit is a critical step. Wet teats can transfer bacteria into the milk and increase the risk of mastitis. Farms should use individual towels for each cow to avoid cross-contamination. Studies show that cows with high SCC levels before drying off are more likely to develop intramammary infections and face higher culling rates after calving.
| Evidence Type | Description |
|---|---|
| SCC Levels | High SCC levels before drying off are linked to increased risks of intramammary infections (IMI) and culling events after calving. |
| Odds Ratio | Cows with high SCC levels before dry off were 4.41 times more likely to have IMI events after calving compared to those with low SCC levels. |
| Culling Events | Cows with high SCC levels were 5.64 times more likely to be culled after calving than those with low SCC levels. |
Forestrip for SCC Detection
Forestripping allows handlers to check for early signs of mastitis and high SCC quarters. By stripping a few streams of milk from each teat before milking, they can spot abnormalities such as clots or off-color milk. Early detection through forestripping helps prevent delays in treatment and reduces milk production losses. This step supports the overall goal to reduce somatic cell counts.
Tip: Forestripping is essential for identifying clinical mastitis and assessing milk quality. It allows for the quick identification of abnormalities in milk, such as off-color or clots, which are indicators of mastitis. Early detection can prevent delays in treatment and reduce losses in milk production.
Use Somatic Cell Count Tester
A somatic cell count tester provides accurate and rapid measurement of somatic cell count in individual cows. Regular testing helps identify subclinical mastitis that may not show visible symptoms. Monthly measurement of SCC supports ongoing monitoring and helps maintain milk quality. Farms that use a somatic cell count tester as part of their routine can quickly address issues and reduce somatic cell counts.
- Accurate, rapid, and precise measurement of somatic cell count is crucial for monitoring udder health.
- Helps ensure milk quality and yield.
- Monthly measurement of individual animal SCCs is an effective method for identifying subclinical mastitis cases.
Milking Routine to Reduce Somatic Cell Counts
Apply Pre-Dip
A successful milking routine begins with proper udder preparation. Workers apply a pre-dip solution to each teat before milking. This step helps remove bacteria from the teat surface and lowers the risk of infection. Pre-dipping is especially important for dairy farms that house cows indoors. Studies show that pre-milking teat disinfection can reduce new intramammary infections by over 50% in these environments. However, pre-dipping does not replace the need for a clean barn or parlor. It works best when combined with good hygiene practices.
| Study Focus | Findings |
|---|---|
| Effect of pre-milking teat disinfection on new mastitis infection rates | Reduced incidence of new intramammary infection (IMI) by over 50% when cows were housed indoors. |
| Pre-milking disinfection in pasture-grazed herds | No significant benefit observed for Strep. uberis infections. |
| Impact of pre-milking disinfection on Staph. aureus | Did not reduce incidence of new IMI in outdoor-fed cows. |
- Pre-dipping reduces mastitis caused by environmental pathogens.
- It minimizes bacterial contact between milkings.
- It cannot compensate for a highly contaminated environment.
Wait Pre-Dip Contact Time
After applying the pre-dip, workers must wait for the recommended contact time. Most industry guidelines suggest a contact time of 15 to 20 seconds. This period allows the disinfectant to kill bacteria on the teat surface. Skipping this step can reduce the effectiveness of the pre-dip. Workers should use a timer or count to ensure the correct contact time for each cow.
- The recommended pre-dip contact time is between 15 and 20 seconds.
- Most pre-dips require this time to ensure bacteria are killed.
Dry Teats Individually
Drying teats is a critical part of the milking routine. Workers use a separate paper towel for each cow to prevent cross-contamination. They wipe each teat thoroughly, removing any remaining disinfectant and moisture. This step helps prevent chemical residues in milk and reduces the risk of infection. The physical action of wiping, combined with disinfectant, lowers bacterial numbers on the teat surface.
- Workers milk out the cow completely.
- They ensure that teats are clean and dry.
- They disinfect the teat ends with cotton wool and surgical spirits, rubbing for at least 10 seconds.
- Workers disinfect the teats furthest away first, then those nearest, to prevent re-contamination.
- Pre-milking teat disinfection should always be followed by drying with individual paper towels.
Tip: Pre-milking teat disinfection followed by individual drying is the most effective way to minimize infection risk and maintain milk quality.
Attach Milking Units
Once teats are dry, workers attach the milking units. Proper attachment ensures that the milking machine forms a good seal around each teat. This step prevents air leaks, which can cause liner slips and increase the risk of infection. Workers should attach the units quickly and smoothly to avoid disturbing the cow. Good technique at this stage supports even milk flow and reduces stress for the animal.
Align Units Properly
Proper alignment of the milking units is essential for udder health. Workers must ensure that the units hang straight and do not pull unevenly on the teats. Misaligned units can cause discomfort and damage to the teat ends. They may also lead to incomplete milk removal, which increases the risk of mastitis. Workers should check the alignment after attaching the units and adjust as needed.
Monitor Milk Flow
During milking, workers monitor the flow of milk from each quarter. Abnormal milk flow can signal problems such as high SCC or early mastitis. New technologies, such as laser analytical techniques, can detect changes in milk composition that relate to udder health. Devices like the RT-10 meter allow workers to quickly check somatic cell counts at the cow side. Early detection of abnormal milk flow helps prevent the spread of infection and supports high-quality milk production.
Note: Monitoring milk flow during milking procedures helps identify issues early and protects both cow health and milk quality.
A consistent milking routine that includes these procedures helps dairy farms control SCC, improve udder health, and produce high-quality milk.
Post-Milking Care for Milk Quality
Remove Units at Milk-Out
Workers must remove milking units at the right time to protect teat health and maintain milk quality. They follow a careful process to prevent damage and reduce the risk of high somatic cell count. The steps below outline the recommended procedure:
- Clean teats if needed before starting.
- Attach the milking unit and adjust it to minimize liner slip.
- Monitor milk flow and shut off the vacuum when milk-out is complete.
- Remove the unit gently to avoid pulling or twisting the teat.
- Coat each teat with a post-milking disinfectant.
This routine helps lower the chance of infection and supports high-quality milk production.
Post-Dip Teats
After milking, workers apply a post-dip solution to every teat. This step forms a barrier that protects against bacteria entering the teat canal. The table below shows how different teat dips affect SCC levels:
| Teat Dip Type | SCC Level | Statistical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Chlorhexidine-based products | Low | P < 0.001 |
| Acrylic latex barrier | High | P = 0.002 |
| Combined PMTD and antibiotic use | Low | P < 0.001 |
Chlorhexidine-based dips and combined treatments keep scc low and help maintain milk quality.
Inspect Teats
Inspection of teats after milking allows early detection of problems. Workers strip a few streams of milk into a strip cup and look for flakes, clots, or watery milk. These signs may indicate mastitis. They also check the teat surface for any injuries or swelling. Early action prevents the spread of infection and protects the herd.
Tip: Regular inspection of teats and foremilk helps identify mastitis early and keeps milk quality high.
Gentle Cow Release
Handlers release cows calmly after milking. Gentle movement reduces stress and prevents injuries. Calm cows recover faster and show better milk let-down in future sessions.
Keep Cows Standing
Keeping cows standing for 30 minutes after milking gives the teat canal time to close. This practice lowers the risk of bacteria entering the udder and supports the production of high-quality milk.
Equipment & Environment for SCC Control
Clean Milking Equipment
Dairy producers know that clean milking equipment is essential for controlling bulk tank somatic cell counts. Routine testing and maintenance help prevent udder infections and keep milk quality high. Workers should spray off any equipment that gets dirty during milking. Consistent procedures, including pre- and post-milking teat dips, thorough cleaning, and proper disinfectant contact time, support a clean and dry environment for cows. These steps reduce the risk of high SCC quarters and protect the bulk supply.
- Test and maintain all milking equipment regularly.
- Check for proper vacuum pressure and undamaged inflations.
- Spray off dirty equipment during and after milking.
- Follow consistent cleaning protocols every day.
Replace Worn Liners
Milking liners play a key role in udder health. Dairy producers should replace rubber liners after 2,000 to 2,500 milkings or every six months, whichever comes first. Deteriorated liners can cause incomplete milking and increase the risk of mastitis. Regular checks for cracks or roughness prevent damage to the teat end and help keep bulk tank scc low. Changing liners on schedule protects cows and maintains milk quality.
- Replace liners after 2,000–2,500 milkings or six months.
- Inspect liners for cracks or roughness.
- Change liners sooner if they show signs of wear.
Check Vacuum Settings
Proper vacuum settings prevent teat injury and elevated SCC. The optimal vacuum at the teat end during peak milk flow should be 10.5 to 12.5 inches. For low lines, the system should run at 12.5 to 13.5 inches, while high lines require 14 to 15 inches. Vacuum fluctuation should stay below 2 inches for low lines and below 3 inches for high lines. These settings help ensure complete milk removal and protect the udder.
Maintain Parlor Cleanliness
Research shows that parlor cleanliness links directly to lower bulk tank somatic cell counts. A clean and dry parlor reduces exposure to environmental mastitis pathogens. Moisture, mud, or manure on cows’ skin increases the risk of high SCC cows and bulk tank contamination. Workers should clean all surfaces and remove waste after every milking. This practice supports udder health and keeps milk safe.
Routine SCC Monitoring
Routine SCC monitoring helps dairy producers identify high SCC cows and manage bulk tank quality. Best practices include:
- Monitor individual cow SCC monthly.
- Calculate key indicators like prevalence and incidence of subclinical mastitis.
- Aim for a bulk tank scc below 200,000 cells per mL.
Regular monitoring allows producers to spot trends, assess udder health, and make informed decisions about dry cow therapy or culling. This approach keeps the bulk supply of milk safe and high quality.
Conclusion
A structured milking routine with 20 checkpoints helps dairy farms lower SCC and boost milk quality. Regular review and optimization of milking routines support herd health and improve milk production. Farms that use a somatic cell count tester benefit from early mastitis detection and better udder health management. The following actions drive results:
- Maintain clean, dry cows and teats.
- Test individual cow milk monthly for trends.
- Use proper milking procedures and feed management.
- Reduce stress during milking for optimal milk letdown.
- Monitor and manage infected cows quickly.
These steps lead to higher milk yield, better quality, and healthier herds.
FAQ
What Is Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and Why Does It Matter?
Somatic cell count measures the number of white blood cells in milk. High SCC signals udder infection. Low SCC means better milk quality, longer shelf life, and higher cheese yield.
How Often Should Farms Test for SCC?
Farms should test individual cow SCC at least once a month. Regular testing helps detect problems early and supports herd health.
What Are the Main Causes of High SCC?
High SCC usually results from mastitis, poor hygiene, or improper milking technique. Dirty equipment and stress also increase SCC.
Tip: Clean cows, equipment, and proper routines lower SCC.
How Does Pre-Dipping and Post-Dipping Help Control SCC?
Pre-dipping removes bacteria before milking. Post-dipping protects teats after milking. Both steps reduce infection risk and keep SCC low.
Can a Somatic Cell Count Tester Improve Milk Quality?
A somatic cell count tester gives fast, accurate SCC results. Early detection of high SCC allows quick action. This tool helps maintain milk quality and udder health.