Impact of High Somatic Cell Count on Dairy Farm Profitability

Many dairy farmers experience an increase in somatic cell count (SCC) towards the end of the lactation period, which can impact their profitability. According to CellCheck calculations, a rise in SCC leads to a substantial reduction in profit. For instance, an annual SCC between 100,000 and 200,000 results in a €8,326 loss, while an SCC greater than 400,000 can cause a €32,942 reduction in profit for a 100-cow herd.

Farmers are advised to conduct a final milk recording to identify cows with high SCC and to develop effective drying-off strategies. Milk recording costs between €10 and €17 per cow, averaging €12 in Ireland, which amounts to €4,800 annually for a herd of 100 cows recorded four times per year.

For those not interested in milk recording, the California milk test (CMT) can be an alternative to identify problematic cows. Collecting milk samples for culture and susceptibility testing is another recommended practice.

Decisions on whether to treat or cull infected cows can be based on these test results. Culling is often preferred as it prevents the spread of infection to healthy cows, given that cure rates can vary from 20% to 80%.

The financial impact of high SCC reminds farmers of the importance of preventative measures to maintain healthy herds and sustain profitability.