Influence of cattle housing on somatic cell count
2009
Barth, K. | von Thünen, J. H., Bundesforschungsinstitut fuer laendliche Raeume, Wald und Fischerei(vTI), Westerau (Germany)
The somatic cell count of milk is determined by the defensive integrity of the udder or udder quarter: if pathogens find their way through the teat canal and penetrate the udder lumen, the body’s cellular defence reaction is heightened. The teat canal therefore plays a key role, and it is essential to maintain its functional integrity for successful mastitis prophylaxis. This protec-tive mechanism is assisted by a reduction in the pathogen pressure exerted on the teat canal. Clean udder skin and clean teat tips with no adhering dirt therefore dictate not only food qual-ity, but udder health as well. In addition to productivity-adapted fodder, dairy cows need ade-quate rest periods in order to utilise their productive capacity to the full. Soft lying areas are preferred, produced using either natural bedding material or a synthetic top layer. The inher-ent risk in both, however, is that they can increase bacterial pressure on the udder. Bedding of natural origin, if too damp, provides the pathogens with conditions in which they thrive _ syn-thetic mats with no additional bedding do not absorb sufficient liquid and, if the substrate is deformed, liquid can accumulate in the udder region. “Milk leakage" in cows with a weak teat closure aggravates the effect. It has been proved that deep litter housing systems increases the risk of cows contracting mastitis. It is thought that this is because it is more difficult to keep the lying area in good condition compared with cubicles. In principle it holds true that there is no monocausal relationship between housing system and the cell count of milk, but that in addition to milking hygiene and milking, the housing environment is of crucial importance in reducing pathogen pressure on the udder.
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