Abstract
Objective—To assess the association of bulk-tank somatic cell counts (BTSCC) and the value of herd productivity (milk produced, calves born, and net costs for cow replacements) in US dairy herds in 1996.
Design—Randomized stratified national survey of dairy producers.
Sample Population—Records from 1,219 dairy herds in the top 20 dairy states.
Procedure—Responses for 1,178 herds had complete information for economic analysis. Per-cow value of production was determined for each herd. Data for herds with high (≥ 400,000 cells/ml) and medium (200,000 to 399,999 cells/ml) BTSCC were compared with values for herds with low BTSCC (< 200,000 cells/ml), using a multivariable regression model.
Results—In 1996, milk was priced at $0.287/kg ($13/cwt). Herds with low BTSCC annually generated $103.90/cow more in herd productivity than herds with medium BTSCC and $292.39/cow more than herds with high BTSCC.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Increased BTSCC (> 200,000 cells/ml) were associated with a reduced value of productivity per cow. Thus, dairy producers have a financial incentive to seek out and implement cost-effective management practices that will enable them to decrease their BTSCC to < 200,000 cells/ml and maximize herd productivity. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2001;218:1325–1330)
