Abstract
Background and Aim:Consistency in producing raw milk with less variation in bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) is important for dairy farmers as their profit is highly affected by it in the long run. Statistical process control (SPC) is widely used for monitoring and detecting variations in an industrial process. Published reports on the application of the SPC method to smallholder farm data are very limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the capability of the SPC method for monitoring the variation of BMSCC levels in milk samples collected from smallholder dairy farms.Materials and Methods:Bulk tank milk samples (n=1302) from 31 farms were collected 3 times/month for 14 consecutive months. The samples were analyzed to determine the BMSCC levels. The SPC charts, including the individual chart (I-chart) and the moving range chart (MR-chart), were created to determine the BMSCC variations, out of control points, and process signals for each farm every month. The interpretation of the SPC charts was reported to dairy cooperative authorities and veterinarians.Results:Based on a set of BMSCC values as well as their variance from SPC charts, a series of BMSCC data could be classified into different scenarios, including farms with high BMSCC values but with low variations or farms with low BMSCC values and variations. Out of control points and signals or alarms corresponding to the SPC rules, such as trend and shift signals, were observed in some of the selected farms. The information from SPC charts was used by authorities and veterinarians to communicate with dairy farmers to monitor and control BMSCC for each farm.Conclusion:This study showed that the SPC method can be used to monitor the variation of BMSCC in milk sampled from smallholder farms. Moreover, information obtained from the SPC charts can serve as a guideline for dairy farmers, dairy cooperative boards, and veterinarians to manage somatic cell counts in bulk tanks from smallholder dairy farms.
Highlights
Somatic cells are white blood cells presented in milk due to the defensive mechanisms of the mammary gland
The information from Statistical process control (SPC) charts was used by authorities and veterinarians to communicate with dairy farmers to monitor and control bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) for each farm
This study showed that the SPC method can be used to monitor the variation of BMSCC in milk sampled from smallholder farms
Summary
Somatic cells are white blood cells presented in milk due to the defensive mechanisms of the mammary gland. The number of somatic cells or the somatic cell counts (SCCs) is the accepted international standard measurement of milk quality [1]. Bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) is generally used as a parameter for the determination of milk quality. It depends on the number and duration of mastitis infection of the dairy herd [2]. Consistency in producing raw milk with less variation in bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) is important for dairy farmers as their profit is highly affected by it in the long run. The purpose of this study was to assess the capability of the SPC method for monitoring the variation of BMSCC levels in milk samples collected from smallholder dairy farms
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