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A study on bulk tank somatic cell counts in a Holstein dairy herd in Khozestan province, Iran

Meysam Hashemzadeh and Saeed Khalajzadeh*

Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Saveh Branch,  Islamic Azad University, Saveh, Iran

 
Abstract

The present study aimed to identify factors affecting bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC), as one of the most important criteria of milk quality in a Holstein dairy herd at Khozestan province, Southwestern Iran. Fixed factors including year, season, temperature-humidity index (THI), and year-season interaction were fitted in the statistical model and the general linear model (GLM) procedure was used as the statistical tool for analysis of data.  The overall mean of BTSCC was 347000 cells/ml. This amount is higher than acceptable range (<200,000) and it suggests bacterial infection and the prevalence of sub-clinical or clinical mastitis. The effect of seasonal timings on BTSCC changes was significant in which the low and high BTSCC were observed in spring and winter, respectively. Surprisingly, the effect of THI on BTSCC changes was not significant and there was not any positive relationship between BTSCC and THI. Generally, the somatic cell count has increased significantly across time and it was concluded that more effective policy is needed to control and reduce SCC in the studied herd.

Keywords: Somatic cell count; bulk tank; season; dairy; temperature-humidity index
 
To cite this article: Hashemzadeh M and S Khalajzadeh, 2014. A study on bulk tank somatic cell counts in a Holstein dairy herd in Khozestan province, Iran. Res. Opin. Anim. Vet. Sci., 4(11): 593-596.
 
 

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