Evaluation of monthly individual cow somatic cell count data to predict the risk of exceeding a bulk-tank somatic cell count threshold of 400,000 c/mL

Authors

  • V. Fauteux Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada J2S 2M2
  • J. -P. Roy Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada J2S 2M2
  • Émile Bouchard Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada J2S 2M2
  • Daniel Scholl College of Agiculture and Biomedical Sciences, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD 57007
  • Denis Haine Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada J2S 2M2

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20133825

Keywords:

somatic cell count, bulk tank, BTSCC, dairy cattle, intramammary infection, udder health

Abstract

Since August 2012, the upper tolerance limit for bulk-tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) in Canada is 400,000 c/mL. Among Quebec's dairy herds in 2011, 13% of BTSCC analyses exceeded that limit and were at risk of financial penalties. Herd indices on the basis of individual-cow somatic cell count (SCC) variations around a threshold of 200,000 c/mL between 2 consecutive months in lactation have been described (proportion of cows cured, new 'intramammary infection [NIMI], healthy or chronic) and could be used to monitor the dynamics of herd udder health. The objective of this study was to use individual-cow udder health indices for the preceding 3-month period to develop a predictive model to estimate the risk of exceeding the BTSCC limit of 400,000 c/mL the following month.

Cover image of the 46th Conference Proceedings: An image of cattle standing in a field during th day. They are looking rather indignantly at the camera. Yellow background.

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Published

2013-09-19

Issue

2013

Section

Research Summaries 2