Associations between udder and skin cleanliness and somatic cell counts, yield and composition of milk of Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows in the autumn-winter season

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the associations between the cleanliness of the udder and skin of the hind part of body and somatic cell counts in milk as well as milk yield and its composition in Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White cows in the autumn-winter season. Animals were kept in the freestall cubicle barn with access to a hardened surface outdoor run. In the roofed part the run was regularly bedded with barley straw. In the milking parlour during test milkings each animal was subjected to a visual inspection performed to evaluate the cleanliness status of the udder, the underbelly, tail base, as well as the upper part of the hind limbs and the lower part of the hind limbs. Soiling on the skin with feces in each analysed cow’s body section had a significant effect on the somatic cell counts in milk. Results of this study indicate a greater effect of the cleanliness status of the hind quarters of the udder on the SCC in milk. An increased degree of soiling on the skin in the underbelly, tail base as well as the upper and lower parts of the hind limbs significantly reduced the contents of protein, casein and dry matter in milk.