Month-wise variation and prediction of bulk tank somatic cell count in Brazilian dairy herds and its impact on payment based on milk quality

Abstract

BackgroundPayment programs based on milk quality (PPBMQ) are used in several countries around the world as an incentive to improve milk quality. One of the principal milk parameters used in such programs is the bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC). In this study, using data from an average of 37,000 farms per month in Brazil where milk was analyzed, BTSCC data were divided into different payment classes based on milk quality. Then, descriptive and graphical analyses were performed. The probability of a change to a worse payment class was calculated, future BTSCC values were predicted using time series models, and financial losses due to the failure to reach the maximum bonus for the payment based on milk quality were simulated.ResultsIn Brazil, the mean BTSCC has remained high in recent years, without a tendency to improve. The probability of changing to a worse payment class was strongly affected by both the BTSCC average and BTSCC standard deviation for classes 1 and 2 (1000–200,000 and 201,000–400,000 cells/mL, respectively) and only by the BTSCC average for classes 3 and 4 (401,000–500,000 and 501,000–800,000 cells/mL, respectively). The time series models indicated that at some point in the year, farms would not remain in their current class and would accrue financial losses due to payments based on milk quality.ConclusionThe BTSCC for Brazilian dairy farms has not recently improved. The probability of a class change to a worse class is a metric that can aid in decision-making and stimulate farmers to improve milk quality. A time series model can be used to predict the future value of the BTSCC, making it possible to estimate financial losses and to show, moreover, that financial losses occur in all classes of the PPBMQ because the farmers do not remain in the best payment class in all months.

Effect of heat stress on udder health of dairy cows

“…SCC also increases with environmental THI (Nasr and El-Tarabany, 2017), reducing milk value (St-Pierre et al ., 2003; Rhoads et al ., 2013). Bulk tank SCC is used as a milk payment parameter to improve milk quality in many countries (Barkema et al ., 2013; Busanello et al ., 2017). In Brazil, Lopes and Lima (2018) followed bulk milk samples of 352 dairy farms and reported a negative correlation between SCC and lactose, non-fat dry milk extract, casein and percent of casein in total protein concentrations, conversely, increased SCC is associated with increased contents of total bacterial count, fat and minerals (Lopes and Lima, 2018; Macedo et al ., 2018).…”

Relationship of total bacterial and somatic cell counts with milk production and composition – multivariate analysis

“…The milk composition enables to monitor the feeding of the dairy herd, aiming to correct failures that might compromise the production of lactose, fat and protein (Dias et al, 2017;Fagan, Jobim, Calixto Júnior, Silva, & Santos, 2010). In addition, it also enables the monitoring of total bacterial counts (TBC) and somatic cell counts (SCC), which are indicators that can be used to evaluate the hygienic management during milking and the health of the mammary gland of lactating cows (Busanello et al, 2017a;Paixão et al, 2017). Therefore, the hygiene practices adopted during milking, besides contributing with the maintenance of the microbiological quality of the milk, also collaborates in the health of the mammary gland.…”

Bacteriological survey of bulk tank milk from dairy farms in Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

“…In particular, Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is the most important mastitis-causing contagious bacteria in BTM [ 4 , 12 ]. Moreover, payment programs based on milk quality are used in South America, including Bolivia, as an incentive to improve milk quality [ 3 ]. The specific payment program currently implemented in Bolivia is shown in Table-1 .…”

“…In Brazil, located next to Bolivia, BTSCC for dairy farms has remained high, with no recent improvement despite the existence of payment programs based on milk quality [ 3 ]. High BTSCC was correlated with high levels of contagious mastitis, such as that caused by SA [ 7 ].…”