Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The relationship between dairy cow hygiene and somatic cell count in milk

Full text
Author(s):
Sant'Anna, A. C. [1] ; Paranhos da Costa, M. J. R. [2]
Total Authors: 2
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Programa Posgrad Genet & Melhoramento Anim, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil
[2] Grp Estudos & Pesquisas Etol & Ecol Anim, Dept Zootecnia, BR-14884900 Jaboticabal, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE; v. 94, n. 8, p. 3835-3844, AUG 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 25
Abstract

Corporal hygiene is an important indicator of welfare for dairy cows and is dependent on facilities, climate conditions, and the behavior of the animals. The objectives of this study were to describe how the hygiene conditions of dairy cows vary over time and to assess whether a relationship exists between hygiene and somatic cell count (SCC) in milk. Monthly hygiene evaluations were conducted on lactating cows in 2 dairy farms for 9 consecutive months, totaling 3,554 evaluations from 545 animals. Hygiene was measured using a 4-point scoring system (very clean, clean, dirty, and very dirty) for 4 areas of the animal's body (leg, flank, abdomen, and udder) and combining these scores to generate a composite cleanliness score. A total of 2,218 milk samples was analyzed from 404 cows to determine SCC and somatic cell linear scores (SCLS). Individual variation was observed in the hygiene of cows throughout the year, with the highest proportion of clean cows being observed in August and the lowest in January. In spite of this seasonal variation, approximately half (55.62%) of the cows displayed consistent cleanliness scores, with 45.86% of them remaining consistently clean (very clean or clean) and 9.76% remaining dirty (very dirty or dirty) over the course of the study. The very clean cows had the lowest SCLS, followed by the clean, dirty, and very dirty cows (no statistically significant differences were found between the latter 2 groups). The most critical months for cow hygiene were those with the greatest rainfall, when a reduction in the welfare of cows and higher SCC values were observed. The evaluation and control of dairy cow hygiene are useful in defining management strategies to reduce problems with milk and improve the welfare of the animals. (AU)