This instrument automatically measures the number of somatic cells in milk, providing rapid and accurate results.
By detecting somatic cell counts, it helps monitor cow health and guides dairy farm management decisions.
The tester uses advanced technology, such as Fluorescence Flow Cytometry, to support efficient herd health monitoring and improve milk quality.
High somatic cell count in milk increases risk of mastitis and can lead to decreased milk quality. For instance, Canadian standards set a bulk milk somatic cell count threshold of 400,000 cells/mL, with non-compliance resulting in penalties. Herds with lower counts produce safer, higher-quality milk and maintain better udder health.
High somatic cell counts indicate mastitis, which lowers milk quality and yield, so regular testing protects herd health.
Advanced technologies like flow cytometry and fluorescence make testers accurate and easy to use on farms.
Portable testers allow farmers to monitor milk quality on-site, saving time and reducing costs.
Using somatic cell count tester regularly improves milk safety, boosts farm profits, and supports better herd management.
Somatic Cell Count Basics
What Are Somatic Cell Counts?
Somatic cell counts represent the number of somatic cells found in milk. These cells mainly consist of white blood cells, or leukocytes, which increase when the cow’s udder faces infection or inflammation. When bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus invade the mammary gland, the immune system responds by sending more white blood cells to fight the infection. As a result, the somatic cell count rises. Healthy cows usually have less than 100,000 cells per milliliter of milk, while infected cows often show counts above 250,000 cells/mL. Most somatic cells measured in milk come from the immune response inside the udder. Dairy farmers use a somatic cell count tester to measure these levels quickly and accurately, helping them monitor udder health.
Tip: Regular testing with a somatic cell count tester helps farmers detect early signs of infection and maintain herd health.
Why Somatic Cell Counts Matter?
Somatic cell counts serve as a key indicator of milk quality and udder health. High somatic cell counts often signal mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland that can harm both cows and milk production. Elevated scc levels not only reflect infection but also reduce milk yield and feed efficiency. Milk with high somatic cell counts shows changes in composition, leading to bitter or rancid flavors and a shorter shelf life. This affects milk quality and the safety of dairy products. Many countries set strict limits forsomatic cell count in milk to ensure quality and safety. For example, the European Union, Canada, and Australia set a maximum of 400,000 cells/mL, while the United States allows up to 750,000 cells/mL.
Country
SCC Limit (cells/mL)
European Union
400,000
New Zealand
400,000
Switzerland
350,000
Australia
400,000
Canada
400,000
United States
750,000
Maintaining somatic cell count score improves milk quality, supports animal welfare, and helps farmers meet regulatory standards. Regular use of a somatic cell count tester allows for early detection of problems, protecting both herd health and the farm’s reputation.
Somatic Cell Count Tester Technology
Flow Cytometry Principle
Flow cytometry stands as the gold standard for somatic cell count testing in the dairy industry. This technology analyzes thousands of cells per second, providing rapid and accurate results. A somatic cell count tester using flow cytometry detects and counts somatic cells, mainly leukocytes, in milk samples. The process reduces human error and delivers consistent, repeatable results. Flow cytometry not only counts the cells but also characterizes them by assessing cell viability and immunological markers. This allows the somatic cell count tester to distinguish between infected and healthy milk samples, offering a detailed view of udder health.
Flow cytometry-based somatic cell count testers show high accuracy and sensitivity. Comparative studies reveal correlation coefficients up to 0.99 with traditional laboratory methods. These testers enable dairy farmers to detect subclinical mastitis early by identifying elevated somatic cell levels. Although flow cytometry requires specialized training and equipment, it remains the preferred method in dairy herd improvement laboratories.
Fluorescence detection enhances the performance of a somatic cell count tester by making cell identification more precise. In this method, the device stains somatic cells with a fluorescent dye, such as acridine orange. When exposed to a specific wavelength of light, these stained cells emit fluorescence. The somatic cell count tester then measures this signal to distinguish somatic cells from other particles in the milk. This approach allows for accurate detection of mastitis infections, as infected milk samples show higher fluorescence intensity due to increased somatic cell counts.
A microfluidic device with a mini-spectrometer can achieve up to 95% accuracy compared to standard laboratory machines. Fluorescence detection also enables the device to analyze different spectral curves, providing more information about the infection status. This method offers rapid, precise, and portable analysis, making it a valuable tool for on-farm diagnostics.
Aspect
Portable Fluorescence SCC Testers
Laboratory Fluorescence SCC Testers
Principle
Staining cell nuclei with DNA-specific fluorescent reagent
Staining with fluorescent reagent
Advantages
Cost-effective, fast, user-friendly
Objective, accurate, higher repeatability
Limitations
Poor sensitivity at low somatic cell counts
Time-consuming, expensive equipment
Practicality
Suitable for field use
Less practical for field due to time and cost constraints
Portable Somatic Cell Counter for Milk
Recent innovations have led to the development of portable somatic cell counter for milk, designed for on-farm use. These devices integrate a multi-functional counting chamber with a miniaturized fluorescence microscope. They allow automatic sample delivery and on-chip preparation, eliminating the need for complex laboratory steps. Farmers can use these portable devices for simple, accurate cell counting without additional equipment.
Portable somatic cell count testers use compact components, such as CMOS sensors and smartphone lenses, making them cost-effective and easy to handle. They support rapid, on-site testing, which is essential for everyday milk quality monitoring and mastitis management. Unlike laboratory-based methods, portable devices do not require trained personnel or expensive equipment. They also remove the need for off-chip sample preparation, centrifuges, and multiple reagent handling steps.
Key features of portable somatic cell counter for milk:
Automatic sample delivery and preparation
Miniaturized fluorescence detection
Simple operation and fast results
Cost-effective and compact design
Suitable for resource-limited settings
The International Dairy Federation highlights ongoing improvements in somatic cell count tester. Innovations include smartphone-based diagnostic analyzers and microfluidic chips that automate milk testing. These advances make somatic cell count testing more accessible and reliable for dairy farmers. Some new systems even combine somatic cell count and total plate count detection, offering a comprehensive diagnostic tool for raw milk.
Tip: Portable somatic cell count testers empower farmers to monitor milk quality and detect mastitis early, improving herd health and productivity.
Using a Somatic Cell Count Tester
Step-By-Step Testing
Dairy farmers rely on accurate testing to monitor udder health and prevent mastitis. The California mastitis test (CMT) remains a popular on-farm method for early detection of infection. Farmers often use a somatic cell count tester alongside the CMT to confirm results and track trends. The following steps outline a typical testing process:
Collect a clean milk sample from each cow, ensuring no contamination.
Perform the California mastitis test by mixing equal parts of milk and CMT reagent in a paddle well.
Gently swirl the paddle and observe for gel formation, which indicates elevated somatic cell levels.
Record CMT results for each quarter and identify cows with positive reactions.
Use a somatic cell count tester to obtain precise individual cow scc values, especially for cows with suspicious CMT results.
Repeat testing regularly to monitor changes in individual cow sccs and herd health.
Common sources of error during testing include missing or incorrect data entries, duplicate records, and incomplete lactation data. Farmers can minimize these errors by:
Removing records without recent milk data.
Excluding duplicates and missing key information.
Discarding outliers, such as abnormal calving intervals.
Ensuring each lactation has enough CMT and SCC recordings.
Maintaining herds with sufficient data volume for reliable analysis.
Interpreting individual cow scc and herd-level results helps farmers make informed decisions. High individual cow sccs often signal infection or chronic mastitis, which can reduce milk yield and quality. The CMT provides a quick screening, but the somatic cell count tester delivers precise numbers for diagnostic accuracy.
Farmers should compare results to industry benchmarks:
SCC Threshold (cells/mL)
Sample Type
Interpretation / Benchmark
Recommended Action / Notes
100,000
Quarter milk
Early indicator of IMI; reduced milk yield observed
Screening threshold; lower sensitivity but useful for early detection
150,000
Composite milk
Optimum threshold for composite samples
Used as screening level to decide on further microbiological testing
200,000
Quarter milk
Practical threshold for defining udder health and IMI
Early detection of mastitis remains one of the most valuable benefits for dairy farmers. Subclinical mastitis often escapes visual identification, making indirect tests like the somatic cell count tester essential. Cows with somatic cell counts above 200,000 cells/mL likely have a hidden infection. Monthly monitoring, such as through Dairy Herd Improvement programs or cow-side tests, enables timely detection and intervention. Farmers who act quickly can prevent subclinical cases from progressing to chronic mastitis, which responds poorly to antibiotics.
Early detection through regular monitoring reduces milk yield losses and treatment costs.
Somatic cell count tester data helps guide selective treatment and culling decisions, optimizing herd health.
Early intervention improves cure rates, animal welfare, and farm profitability by stopping severe mastitis outcomes before they start.
Milk Quality Improvement
Maintaining low somatic cell counts directly improves milk quality. Elevated counts signal infection and lead to changes in milk composition, such as reduced lactose and casein. These changes shorten the shelf life of dairy products and increase the risk of bacterial contamination.
Monitoring with a somatic cell count test kit helps farmers identify and address infection before it affects milk quality.
High somatic cell counts can cause processors to reject milk, resulting in economic losses.
Regular detection and management of infection protect both consumer safety and product shelf life.
Monitoring somatic cell counts is essential for maintaining high milk quality and reducing food safety risks.
Efficient Herd Management
Frequent detection and monitoring of infection support efficient herd management. On-farm tests like the California Mastitis Test offer a low-cost, user-friendly way to screen cows regularly.
Farms that use regular somatic cell count tester data achieve better herd health outcomes and lower veterinary costs.
Selective dry cow therapy, guided by somatic cell count thresholds, reduces unnecessary antibiotic use and maintains milk yield.
Herds with consistent monitoring see fewer cases of intramammary infection and improved reproductive performance.
A scientific study found that farms with low bulk tank somatic cell counts receive premium payments and enjoy higher milk productivity. These farms also reduce treatment costs and milk wastage, supporting long-term profitability.
Benefit
Impact on Dairy Farms
Early mastitis detection
Reduces milk loss and treatment cost
Improved milk quality
Extends shelf life, prevents rejection
Efficient herd management
Lowers disease rates, boosts income
Regular use of a somatic cell count tester empowers dairy farmers to make informed decisions, reduce infection rates, and sustain profitable operations.
Conclusion
Dairy farms benefit greatly from adopting a somatic cell count tester.
Accurate detection of udder infections improves herd health and supports better milk quality.
Combining SCC with differential counts increases diagnostic accuracy, helping farmers make informed decisions.
Regular monitoring links directly to higher milk yield and early detection of mastitis.
Challenge
Solution
High costs
Modular, affordable devices
Usability issues
User-friendly interfaces
A somatic cell count test kit offers a practical way for dairy producers to enhance herd management and meet industry standards.
FAQ
What Is the Difference Between Cmt and a Somatic Cell Count Tester?
California Mastitis Test (Cmt) provides a quick, visual check for mastitis by mixing milk with a reagent. A somatic cell count tester gives a precise cell count using advanced technology. Farmers often use cmt for screening and the tester for confirmation.
How Often Should Farmers Use Cmt and a Somatic Cell Count Tester?
Farmers should use cmt at least once a month for routine screening. They can use a somatic cell count tester whenever cmt results suggest infection or for regular herd monitoring. Frequent testing helps maintain milk quality.
Can Cmt Replace a Somatic Cell Count Tester?
Cmt works well for quick checks but does not provide exact numbers. A somatic cell count tester offers accurate results needed for herd management and meeting industry standards. Farmers benefit from using both methods together.
Why Do Some Cows Test Negative on Cmt But Show High Counts on a Somatic Cell Count Tester?
Cmt may miss early or mild infections because it relies on visible changes. A somatic cell count tester detects even small increases in cell numbers. This helps farmers catch problems before they become severe.
What Are the Main Benefits of Using Cmt Alongside a Somatic Cell Count Tester?
Using cmt allows farmers to screen many cows quickly. The somatic cell count tester confirms results and tracks trends over time. This combination improves early mastitis detection, milk quality, and herd health.
