Milk quality analysis in a large New York dairy
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A herd with 850 milking cows was analyzed by Cornell University's Quality Milk Production Services. Milk quality, milking procedures, environmental factors, and general success of the farm were assessed. The cows are housed in a freestall, fed a total mixed ration, and are milking about 69 pounds per cow per day. The farm, operating in conjunction with a larger dairy, strives to decrease subclinical mastitis incidence, improve teat end health, increase production to over 27,000 lbs, and decrease bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) to less than 150,000 cells/mL. Suggestions were made to increase cow comfort and profitability by bedding the cows more adequately and by keeping the cross-over alleys clean. We also suggested that the producer milks all chronically infected cows in a separate pen, last. We advised using a quarter milker for cows with high somatic cell count to lower the BTSCC and increase premium payments for quality.
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Seminar SF610.1 2011