Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between average lactation somatic cell counts (SCC) and herd management practices in an arid climate. A total of 38,530 average lactation SCC records for 10,216 Holstein cows gathered on 25 dairy farms from January 2009 to October 2012 in Isfahan (Iran) were analyzed. Average lactation SCC (cells × 1,000) was 250.79 ranging from 90.31 to 483.23 cells/mL across investigated farms. Herd-level management factors associated with average lactation SCC were determined separately using mixed linear models in the MIXED procedure with average lactation somatic cell score (SCS) included as the dependent variable. Some of the management practices associated with low average lactation SCS included sawdust combined with sand bedding, using automatic cup removers, disinfection of the teats by dipping into disinfectant, using washable towels for teat cleaning, free-stall barns, wet disposable tissue for udder washing, wearing gloves during milking and the use of humidifiers and shade. Lower-production herds and larger-size herds had lower average lactation somatic cell counts. Most herd management practices associated with average lactation SCC in dairy herds in the arid region of Isfahan are in agreement with most previous studies. However, different results are found for use of humidifier, bedding materials and herd size.
Highlights
Mastitis is an udder health disorder that causes substantial economic losses including discarded milk, veterinary treatments, decrease in milk yield and quality, reduced lactation persistency, early culling, and increased labor and replacement costs
Most herd management practices associated with average lactation somatic cell counts (SCC) in dairy herds in the arid region of Isfahan are in agreement with most previous studies
There is no report of associations between herd management practices and average lactation SCC in developing countries with arid climates, and the importance of management factors could vary from country to country
Summary
Mastitis is an udder health disorder that causes substantial economic losses including discarded milk, veterinary treatments, decrease in milk yield and quality, reduced lactation persistency, early culling, and increased labor and replacement costs. Mastitis considerably reduces animal welfare and milk processing ability (Seegers et al, 2003; Sadeghi-Sefidmazgi et al, 2011) This inflammation of the mammary gland, usually in response to invasive agents, can be characterized by an increase in the somatic cell count (SCC) in milk (Mehrzad et al, 2010). There is no report of associations between herd management practices and average lactation SCC in developing countries with arid climates, and the importance of management factors could vary from country to country. This can partially be due to different production systems as well as climate conditions
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