Interrelationships between somatic cell counts, production, age
and mastitis organisms in individual cows
G.F. Duirs and K.L. Macmillan
National Dairy Laboratory, Hamilton and Ruakura Animal Research
Station, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1979, 39: 175-179
Results from repeated somatic cell counts on individual cows
were examined from 60 herds. The age effect on cell counts was studied
and Production Index was related to cell count levels and age. Six
herds were used to study effects of dry cow therapy on cell counts and
also for milk bacteriological studies.
Cell counts increased with age, as did the incidence of mastitis
pathogens. Older cows with high cell counts had lower production than
those with low cell counts. No significant differences occurred in cell
counts between cows treated and not treated at drying off.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Last Updated 12-09-1998
