Management style and its association with bulk milk somatic cell count andincidence rate of clinical mastitis

Management style and its association with bulk milk somatic cell count (SCC ) and the incidence rate of clinical mastitis were studied in 300 Dutch dai ry herds. Cluster analysis was used to identify groups of farmers who had s imilar management styles for the prevention of mastitis. Two groups of farm ers could be differentiated. The management style of the first group of far mers was described as clean and accurate; the management style of the secon d group of farmers was described as quick and dirty. The relationship betwe en clusters and the bulk milk SCC category was high. The relationship betwe en clusters and incidence rate of clinical mastitis was weak. Compared with herds with a high (250,000 to 400,000 cells/ml) bulk milk SCC, herds with a low bulk milk SCC (less than or equal to 150,000 cells/ml) were managed b y farmers who were younger, had children with a higher education, and were more eager to invest. Farmers of herds with a low bulk milk SCC kept better records and were more familiar with each cow in their herds. The most stri king difference between farmers of herds with low and high bulk milk SCC wa s that the first group worked precisely rather than fast; the latter group of farmers worked quickly rather than precisely. As a result, the farms wit h herds that had a low bulk milk SCC had better hygienic conditions than th ose farms with herds that had a high bulk milk SCC. We also discuss the imp lications for producer education with regard to udder health.