# Associations between on-farm factors and bulk tank SCC on Irish dairy farms

## TL;DR

This study explores how farm management practices and technologies on Irish dairy farms affect milk quality, as measured by somatic cell count.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific farm practices and technologies associated with changes in bulk tank somatic cell count in Irish dairy farms.

## Key findings

- Seasonal calving patterns and proper milking practices are linked to lower somatic cell counts.
- Parlour technologies like automatic cluster removers reduce somatic cell counts, while certain parlour designs increase them.
- Seeking veterinary advice and using multiple milk recordings help lower somatic cell counts.

## Abstract

This study describes associations between bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) and farm management practices, parlour management practices and implemented technologies, milking management practices, somatic cell count (SCC) control strategies, and farmer demographics and attitudes around SCC management using a sample of Irish dairy farms.

This paper utilised a pre-existing dataset from a farm management and technology survey of 376 commercial Irish dairy farms conducted in 2022. Five mixed models were used to examine associations between variables in each of the five survey sections and log-10 transformed BTSCC (log10BTSCC). Seasonal calving patterns, family members milking alongside survey respondents, and keeping of mastitis treatment records were associated with lower log10BTSCC. Parlour technologies such as automatic cluster removers and automatic washers on the milking machine were associated with significantly reduced log10BTSCC, whereas the presence of backing gates and straight breast rails were associated with increased log10BTSCC. Fore-milking, pre-milking udder preparation and post-milking teat disinfection contributed to lower log10BTSCC. Advice sought from veterinary professionals regarding SCC, multi-faceted approaches to selective dry cow therapy decisions, and utilisation of results from multiple milk recordings were also associated with significantly decreased log10BTSCC.

In this study, we successfully established associations between log10BTSCC and farm management practices, parlour management practices and implemented technologies, milking management practices, SCC control strategies, and farmer demographics and attitudes around SCC management. We identified scope for further research on many of the aspects found to be associated with log10BTSCC in this study, particularly in the areas of cow positioning within parlours, fore-milking practices, milk recording, and means of disseminating SCC advice to farmers, particularly around the topics of parlour hygiene and selective dry cow therapy.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13620-025-00300-8.