Somatic Cell Counts And Profitability
Vinton E. Smith
Capital Region Dairy Agent
Milk quality is a very important aspect of a success
ful management plan on all dairy farms. The somatic
cell count (SCC) level in your milk is one of the key
measures of quality that dairy plants use to determine
the overall quality of milk you produce. Lowering the
SCC in your herd can lead to tremendous improve
ment in profitability of your dairy business in two
ways. First, by becoming eligible for quality premiums
and secondly by increasing production per cow as a
result of better management and improved udder
health.
The most successful dairies now and in the future
will strive for an average SCC that is less than 200,000
cells per milliliter. This will help to ensure improved
profitability and long-term success of their dairy busi
ness.
Milk quality premiums can become a significant
portion of a dairy producer’s milk check each month.
Quality premiums from local dairy cooperatives and
dairy plants range from nothing for lower quality milk
to as much as $.50 per cwt. for very high quality milk.
A 100 cow dairy producing just 18,000 pounds of milk
can receive as much as $9,000 more in quality premi-
ums each year. That can make a very big difference to
the bottom line on many dairies here in the Capital
Region of Pennsylvania.
There is even a greater financial incentive for im
proving your dairy cow management and lowering
your SCC, That incentive is an increase in production
per cow and improved udder health. These improve
ments will lead to even greater increases in income and
a greater potential for a much more profitable dairy
business.
There are many management factors that impact
milk production and income on a dairy farm. The SCC
is just one key factor.
Short checklist of procedures that lower SCC:
• Teat dip all cows.
• Dry cow therapy for all quarters of all cows
turned dry.
• Have milking equipment checked by a qualified
serviceman twice a year.
• Review milking practices and hygiene with a spe
cialist. Don’t use sponges, cloths, or water hoses to
wash udders.
• Keep cow udders clean between each milking
%■*
JS& FOOTROT EQOAiiF
* DECREASED MILK • '
production
* DECREASED FEED
KFJCIWCT
* ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT
RJSOGARD* PROVIDES:
• Effective, season-long
footrot control
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