Abstract
Since 1999, the average bulk milk somatic cell count has increased 1 to 2% per year in Flanders. Inspired by this trend, Milk Control Centre Flanders and M-teamUGent, together with the farmers’ organizations and the Flemish Cattle Breeding Association, decided to design a two-year program to work on udder health and milk quality. This so-called ‘demonstration project’ is primarily subsidized by the Flemish government and the European Union and purely emphasizes the transfer of existing knowledge towards the Flemish dairy farmers and its implementation in the farmers’ daily practices through communication and education. Communication to dairy farmers and their advisors was established by general means such as an informative website (www.uiergezondheid.be), a digital newsletter, and roadshows (4 farmers’ meetings and one advisors’ meeting full of inspiring lectures). Additionally, 20 groups of 10 to 12 dairy farmers were brought together on farm of one of the participants to discuss udder health and milk quality. This paper describes the background, aims and structure of the project as well as some experiences gained throughout the project.
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