Management factors and cow traits influencing milk somatic cell counts and teat hyperkeratosis during different seasons

The objective of the study was to analyze the effect of season, parity, stage of lactation and milking procedures on teat-end condition, cow cleanliness and milk somatic cell count (SCC) and identify risk factors associated with milk somatic cell counts greater than 100,000 cells/mL. A group of 15 Italian dairy farms were visited three times during different seasons: the cold (3.8 °C), the hot (23.5 °C) and the mild (12.1 °C) seasons. Hygiene of udder, flanks and legs was scored on 2,330 cows based on a 4-point scale system, from very clean (score 1) to very dirty skin (score 4). On the same cows, a total of 9,201 teats were assessed for teat-end condition and assigned to four different classes of hyperkeratosis: No lesion (N), Smooth ring (S), Rough (R) and Very rough skin (VR). The average percentage of teats classified in the worst classes of hyperkeratosis (R and VR) equaled 15.9%. Teat hyperkeratosis, cow cleanliness and milk somatic cell count were significantly affected by the season. Teat condition was significantly better in primiparous than in multiparous cows and deteriorated during lactation. Cows with the lowest values of SCC, better teat conditions and better hygiene scores were found in the farms where more than one milking practice (among forestripping, pre-dipping and post-dipping) were performed. Multivariate logistic analysis confirmed that parity and days of lactation significantly influence the risk of high somatic cell count. Among environmental and management aspects, clean udders and pre-dipping are associated with a reduced likelihood to have individual cows with milk SCC greater than 100,000 cells/mL. Teat hyperkeratosis does not seem to be a risk factor of high SCC. Milk somatic cell count can be lowered by means of simple actions such as improvement of hygiene condition of cow environment and adoption of pre-dipping.