As we enter the final quarter of the spring lactation, the national average somatic cell count (SCC) level sits at 186,000 cells/ml, according to the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

Ideally, we want to achieve an average cell count level of 100,000 cells/ml or lower, but given the unpredictable grazing season we have had, it is unsurprising to see the figure climbing up.

However, the further herds climb from the 100,000 cells/ml target, and the more they climb over the 200,000 cells/ml mark, the more money is lost out on in the end-of-month milk cheque.

That is why keeping cell counts under control is crucial, as losing out on potential incoming can be devastating considering the financial path dairy farming is currently on.

Cell counts

If we look back on last year, the national average cell count was sitting at 184,000 cells/ml during the same week.

Cell counts spiked to 194,00 cells/ml by the end of September, but quickly returned to the 180,000 cells/ml mark for the rest of October.

If farms can keep cell counts below the 200,000 cell/ml mark, must co-ops will pay them a bonus.

However, if they climb above 300,000-400,000 cells/ml, they may start to see their milk cheque penalised.

Back to this year, in the 10 days leading up to Friday, September 4, there was 136,135 cows milk recorded across 1,168 dairy herds.

From these recording, there was a noticeable difference between the best 20% and worst 20% in terms of SCC.

The top 20% of cows recorded averaged 118,000 cells/ml, while the bottom 20% averaged 298,000 cells/ml.

However, that is not always a clear representation of farm management, as it is easy for cell counts to rapidly spike.

As well as that, some farmers milk record knowing there are issues in a bid to collect data and find the root problem.

There are a number of measures farmers can take before getting to this point where milk recording is used to find and remove problem cows from the herd.

Most of them are simple management tools that get overlooked when things are hectic, especially given farmers may not have had as much time in August as other years, as they had the extra task of dealing with drought conditions.

Prevention measures

However, things like the milking machine still need to be tested and serviced every nine to 12 months, if not already done so.

As well as this, liners need to be changed every 2,000 milkings or at least six months; remember we are now eight months since the milking machine started back humming in February.

Ensure a good milking routine is in operation with standard operating procedures (SOPs) implemented.

Farmers should not underestimate the power of teat disinfectant post-milking, as it has the ability to reduce infection rates by up to and even over 50%, as long as the whole teat is covered properly.

Keep an eye out for problem cows with consistently high SCC reading over multiple lactations despite treatment.

It may be worth adding these cows to your cull programme as soon as possible as they are only negatively affecting your high achievers and overall production and profitability.