Milk Somatic Cell Count Soaring

[Guest guest]

MILK SOMATIC CELL COUNT " SOARING "

Previously posted to SoFlaVegans

 

The average somatic cell count (SCC) for the dairy industry

nationwide is increasing at an " alarming " rate, 3 University of

Minnesota dairy experts warns. Somatic cells in milk are primarily

white blood cells and some cells shed from the lining of the mammary

gland. Normal milk contains some of these cells but almost always

less than 100,000 per milliliter (ml).

 

Increased counts indicate inflammation, most likely caused by

intramammary bacterial infection (mastitis). The higher the count,

the more likely the milk is contaminated with pathogens and

antibiotic residues, raising the suspicion that it was produced under

poorer standards of hygiene and from unhealthy cows. Counts of

200,000 or more are indicative of mastitis. The risk of

antibiotic residue in milk is 2 to 7 times higher in herds with

counts above 400,000.

 

The dairy industry's national average SCC has been annually

increasing by 2,400 cells/ml since 1995. Overall, annual bulk SCC

rose from 307,000 cells/ml in 1997 to 320,000 in 2001. The trend is

blamed on summer heat, poor sanitation, and insufficient regulatory

pressure, among other fidyl factors. The SCC limit for grade A

dairies is 750,000 cells/ml. (A bulk tank SCC of 700,000 indicates

some two-thirds of the cows are infected and contributing abnormal

milk.)

 

Repeat violators are fined and may lose their license. For the 3rd

time in 6 years, the National Mastitis Council is proposing a

lowering of the limit to 400,000 by 2011. The American Association of

Bovine Practitioners is considering a proposal to lower the limit to

400,000 by 2007. Opponents have argued that counts above 400,000 are

not a human health risk. With PETA's recently launched " Got Pus? "

campaign http://dumpdairy.com/pus.html

industry watchers wonder if the dairy's " absolute refusal " to lower

the count might come back to haunt it.

 

The Agri-View article includes a 12-step program for achieving bulk

tank SCC of under 100,000 cells/ml.

 

" Industry's SCC Soaring, " Agri-View, Jane Fyksen, January 31, 2003.

http://www.agriview.com/display/inn_dairy_news/producer01.prt

 

" Guidelines on Normal and Abnormal Raw Milk, " National Mastitis

Council, February 2001.

http://www.nmconline.org/docs/abnmilk.htm

 

" Lower the Count, " AgWeb Dairy Today E-Report, January 31, 2003.

http://www.agweb.com/pub_get_article.asp?sigcat=dairy & pageid=92701 & pubid=4 & pubco\

ntentsectionid=37 & pubissueid=78

 

" Dairies with High SCC Levels Run Greatest Risk of Producing Milk

with Antibiotic Residues, " College of Agriculture and Life Science,

University of Wisconsin, George Gallep, 03/26/01.

 

" PETA Picks Up on Pus, " Dairy Today E-Report, October 25, 2003.

http://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?articleID=92310 & newscat=GN " >http\

://www.agweb.com/news_show_news_article.asp?articleID=92310 & newscat=GN