The aim of this paper was a retrospective analysis of factors affecting the somatic cell count (SCC) in cow bulk tank milk. The investigations concerned the year 2000 and were conducted on 212 family dairy farms in the Wielkopolska region (Western Poland). The average herd size was 13.3 cows (ranging from 5 to 48), whereas the mean SCC was 269,000 in 1 cm3 of milk (ranging from 63,000 to 631,000). In the period from July to September a higher SCC (P < or = 0.01) was found than in the other months. In herds of more than 15 cows, higher SCC values (P < or = 0.05) were observed than in the smaller herds. The following management and technological factors significantly decreased SCC: a 7-8-week dry period (versus shorter period), foremilking with the use of a forestripper, practicing manual udder massage before milking, individual rationing of feeds according to production, and the application of MgO and beta-carotene additives to the feed ration.

Abstract. Title of the paper: Milk yield an milk quality of beef cows during the suckling period The milk yield of suckling cows is an important requirement for the growth of weaning calves. The daily milk yield of 57 suckling cows was recorded in different stages of suckling period. As methods of the milk recording were used "weigh – suckle – weigh" and machine milking with application of oxytocin. The means of the 200 days milk yield were 1,754 kg in suckling cows of the Red Angus breed at Hungarian farm and 2,868 kg for different genotypes on a grassland location in the North of Germany. On average, the percentage of milk fat was x = 4.26 % ± 1.17 %, of protein x = 3.62 % ± 0.39 % and of lactose x = 4.80 % + 0.35 %, respectively. Significant relations were recorded between the milk yield in the first 6th months of suckling period and the daily weight gain (coefficients from r = 0.541 to r = 0.581).

Abstract. The investigations were carried out in the year 2001 on 167 Black-and-White cattle farms of Wielkopolska region (West Poland). On the farms included in the study a survey on performing the premilking procedures was conducted and the results were collected concerning analyses of bulk tank milk samples for the somatic cell count (SCC) and total microorganism count (TMC). Herds, in which udders and teats were cleaned with a towel soaked with a disinfectant or washed with water containing a disinfectant, were characterized by lowest logeSCC (12.36 and 12.41, respectively). They were followed by herds in which wiping with a dry towel (12.48) and washing with clean water (12.58) were practiced. The lowest logeTMC was observed in the herds in which udders and teats were cleaned with a dry towel (10.66). This characteristic was similar in the herds where washing with clean water or wiping with a towel soaked with a disinfectant were practiced (10.89 and 11.00, respectively). The highest value of logeTMC was in the herds in which washing with water containing a disinfectant was practiced (11.28). For SCC, a significant interaction was found between both pre-milking procedures. In the case of wiping with either a dry or wet towel, significantly lower values of logeSCC were observed in the herds in which forestripping was performed prior to cleaning. However, in the herds in which udders and teats were washed with water, a better option was to perform forestripping after udder and teat cleaning.

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Abstract. Title of the paper: Investigation of milk flow from udder quarters 672 milk flow curves of 30 cows from the milkings of one quarter and from the corresponding complete milkings of the respective following day were registered. With the aid of the ultrasound technique and an imaging analysis system the teat Channel lengths, the teat wall thickness and the teat tissue areas were meseared before and after milking. The duration of decreasing flow rate of the complete milking can be explained by the traits of the milk flow curves of the quarter milkings. The maximum flow rate and the average flow rate were influenced by the shape traits of the teat apex.