The Relationship Between Cow Coat Cleanliness And Somatic Cell Count In Milk

Author : Elita Aplocina, Lilija Degola

Abstract :The objective of this paper is to evaluate the relationship between dairy cow cleanliness and milk somatic cell count (SCC). The cleanliness of the animals was evaluated by the cleanliness of the udder and of the hind legs and two months milk analysis data was compared each year. In first year only 1 cow was observed to have clean hind legs, but in second year no cow was evaluated with 1 point. 3 points got 57% of the total number of cows, and 4 and 5 points got 29% of the cows in first year. In second year 34% of the total number of cows were evaluated for foot cleanliness with 3 points, and 44% of the cows were evaluated with 4 and 5 points. Comparing the udder cleanliness of cows in f irst year 39% of cows were assessed with a score of 1, while in second year only 17% of cows were. In second year winter period cows showed a higher mean SCC in milk of 241.5 thous. mL-1, while in first year winter period it was 162.0 thous. mL-1. On the farm, the high SCC in milk is the main reason for excluding cows from the herd.

Keywords :Dairy cow, cleanliness, somatic cells.

Conference Name :International Conference on Agriculture, Veterinary and Life Sciences (ICAVLS-25)

Conference Place Malaga, Spain

Conference Date 15th May 2025