Somatic cell counts in bulk milk and their importance for milk processing

Bulk tank milk somatic cell counts are the indicator of the mammary gland health in the dairy herds and may be regarded as an indirect measure of milk quality. Elevated somatic cell counts are correlated with changes in milk composition The aim of this study was to assess the somatic cell counts that significantly affect the quality of milk and dairy products. We examined the somatic cell counts in bulk tank milk samples from 38 farms during the period of 6 months, from December to the May of the next year. The flow cytometry, Fossomatic was used for determination of somatic cell counts. In the same samples content of total proteins and lactose was determined by Milcoscan. Our results showed that average values for bulk tank milk samples were 273,605/ml from morning milking and 292,895/ml from evening milking. The average values for total proteins content from morning and evening milking are 3,31 and 3,34%, respectively. The average values for lactose content from morning and evening milking are 4,56 and 4,63%, respectively. The highest somatic cell count (516,000/ml) was detected in bulk tank milk sample from evening milk in the Winter and the lowest content of lactose was 4,46%. Our results showed that obtained values for bulk tank milk somatic cell counts did not significantly affected the content of total proteins and lactose

Monitoring Milk Somatic Cell Counts

The presence of somatic cells in milk is a widely disputed issue in milk production sector. The somatic cell counts in raw milk are a marker for the specific cow diseases such as mastitis or swollen udder. The high level of somatic cells causes physical and chemical changes to milk composition and nutritional value, and as well to milk products. Also, the mastitic milk is not proper for human consumption due to its contribution to spreading of certain diseases and food poisoning. According to these effects, EU Regulations established the maximum threshold of admitted somatic cells in raw milk to 400000 cells / mL starting with 2014. The purpose of this study was carried out in order to examine the raw milk samples provided from small farms, industrial type farms and milk processing units. There are several ways to count somatic cells in milk but the reference accepted method is the microscopic method described by the SR EN ISO 13366-1/2008. Generally samples registered values in accordance with the admissible limit. By periodical monitoring of the somatic cell count, certain technological process issues are being avoided and consumer’s health ensured

TRISODIUM CITRATE USE IN DAIRY COWS AND EFFECTS ON DAILY MILK YIELD AND QUALITY

The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of trisodium citrate can reduce milk somatic cell counts and consequently increase the milk yield and quality in dairy cows on third and fourth lactation. Twelve holstein cows were divided into 2 groups, 5 of them were chosen as trial which have received orally 30 mg trisodium citrate per kg of body weight in diluted form daily during 7 days. Apart from daily milk yield , milk sampling was performed before, after and during trisodium citrate treatment in both trial and control groups. Individual milk protein, fat, total dry matter, milk pH, somatic cell counts and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) were measured in each of milk samples. There was no significant difference regarding daily milk yield, fat, protein, dry matter of milk and milk ORP values between 2 groups. But somatic cell counts were significantly lower in trisodium citrate-given group during experimental period. In conclusion, trisodium citrate may be useful for improving milk quality regarding somatic cell counts

Somatic Cell Counts (Leucocyte Counts) A Standard of Milk Acceptability

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Mastitis Control and Somatic Cell Counts.

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Mastitis Control and Somatic Cell Counts.

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Mastitis Control: Reducing Somatic Cell Counts

Mastitis is the most costly disease of dairy cattle. The primary economic loss associated with mastitis is lost production due to subclinical mastitis. This loss accounts for nearly two-thirds the costs associated with mastitis or about $126 per cow per year. The remaining one-third of the dollar or about$62 per cow per year are costs associated with discarded milk, drug therapy, veterinarian costs, and culling

Interpreting Individual Cow Somatic Cell Counts

Detecting mastitis through somatic cell counts on composite milk samples has created a lot of interest among DHI dairymen. How to interpret these reports has also ca used some confusion

Interpreting Individual Cow Somatic Cell Counts

Detecting mastitis through somatic cell counts on composite milk samples has created a lot of interest among DHI dairymen. How to interpret these reports has also ca used some confusion