For many dairy farmers, summer should be a time when cows are settled at grass and milk production is at its peak. However, it is also a time when Somatic Cell Counts (SCCs) can unexpectedly climb, causing concern around milk quality, mastitis risk, and penalties from processors.
Understanding why SCCs increase during the summer months and taking proactive steps can help maintain milk quality and protect farm profitability.
Why Do SCCs Increase During Summer?
There is rarely one single cause of high SCCs. Instead, several factors often combine to create ideal conditions for mastitis-causing bacteria to thrive.
1. Warm and Humid Weather
Although our summers are generally mild, periods of warm and humid weather can significantly increase bacterial growth in the cow's environment.
Mud around high-traffic areas can become breeding grounds for bacteria. When teats come into contact with contaminated surfaces, the risk of infection increases.
2. Milking Routine Challenges
As workloads increase during the summer, consistency in milking routines can sometimes slip.
Common issues include:
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Inadequate teat preparation
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Poor teat coverage during spraying
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Incorrect spray dilution rates
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Damaged or worn milking liners
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Over-milking
Small changes in routine can have a significant impact on udder health over time.
3. Environmental Mastitis
Summer conditions often favour environmental mastitis pathogens such as E. coli and Streptococcus uberis.
These bacteria are commonly found in:
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Wet bedding
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Dirty yards
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Muddy paddocks
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Contaminated water sources
Environmental infections can quickly drive SCC levels upwards across the herd.
4. Stress and Heat
Even moderate heat stress can impact immune function.
Cows experiencing heat stress may spend more time standing, reducing rest periods and increasing exposure to contaminated surfaces. Reduced feed intake can also affect overall health and resistance to infection.
Steps to Reduce SCCs This Summer
Review Your Milking Routine
A consistent milking routine remains one of the most effective tools for controlling SCCs.
Ensure:
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Teats are clean before cluster attachment
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Clusters are attached correctly
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Over-milking is avoided
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Teats receive complete coverage after milking
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Milking equipment is functioning correctly
Identify Problem Cows Early
Monitor SCC reports closely and identify cows contributing most to the bulk tank count.
Consider:
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Individual cow SCC data
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Clinical mastitis history
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Repeat offenders
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Cows with chronic infections
Early intervention can prevent issues spreading.
Improve Yard and Housing Hygiene
Even during the grazing season, environmental hygiene remains critical.
Focus on:
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Scraping yards regularly
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Improving drainage around water troughs
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Keeping cubicles clean and dry
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Reducing muddy areas around gateways
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Ensuring adequate ventilation
Reducing bacterial load in the environment reduces the infection pressure on the herd.
Check Your Milking Equipment
Faulty equipment can contribute significantly to udder health issues.
Schedule regular maintenance and check:
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Vacuum levels
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Pulsation rates
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Liner condition
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Rubberware condition
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Wash system performance
Work With Your Vet
If SCCs continue to rise despite management changes, involve your vet early.
Milk sampling and culturing can help identify the specific bacteria causing infections and allow for a targeted control strategy.
The Financial Cost of High SCCs
High SCCs can impact profitability through:
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Reduced milk bonuses
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Increased mastitis treatment costs
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Lost milk production
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Increased labour requirements
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Higher culling rates
Taking action early is often far less expensive than dealing with long-term herd health challenges.
Prevention Is Always Better Than Cure
Maintaining low SCCs requires attention to detail throughout the year, but summer presents unique challenges that require additional vigilance.
By focusing on milking routine, environmental hygiene, cow comfort, and early identification of problem animals, farmers can significantly reduce SCC levels and improve overall herd performance.
Supporting Udder Health
Effective teat disinfection remains an important part of any mastitis prevention programme. Using a high-quality teat disinfectant with good coverage and proven efficacy can help reduce bacterial exposure after milking.
BoPro Teat Spray has been developed specifically for Irish dairy farming conditions, providing excellent teat coverage and supporting overall udder health as part of a complete mastitis prevention strategy.
If you are experiencing high SCCs this summer and would like advice on teat disinfection protocols, contact the BoPro team for guidance.