Herd characteristics and management practices associated with bulk-tank somatic cell counts in herds in official Dairy Herd Improvement Association programs in Ohio

Objective-To identify herd characteristics and management practices associa ted with bulk-tank somatic cell counts (BTSCC) in dairy herds in Ohio enrol led in official Dairy Herd Improvement Association (DHIA) programs. Sample Population-186 dairies in Ohio. Procedure-All herds in official DHIA programs in 9 counties were asked to p articipate. Extensive information regarding herd characteristics and manage ment practices was obtained, using a standardized questionnaire. Bulk-tank milk samples were requested from all participating herds for bacterial cult ure. Official DHIA test-day records for January 1997 were obtained from all herds enrolled in official DHIA programs in the 9 counties. Potential asso ciations were identified, using multivariable ANOVA. Results-Participation was 186 of 479 (39%) herds. Streptococcus agalactiae and Mycoplasma spp were not isolated from bulk-tank milk samples. Staphyloc occus aureus was isolated from 64 of 172 (37%) of the herds. The BTSCC were inversely associated with peak daily milk production, postmilking teat dis infection, percentage of eligible cows in the herd detected in estrus, and directly related to the extent to which BTSCC was perceived as a herd probl em during the preceding 2 years. Type of housing for nonlactating cows and product used for treatment of nonlactating cows also were significantly ass ociated with BTSCC. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Consideration of herd characteristics an d implementation of management practices associated with BTSCC could result in increased milk yield and production of milk with lower BTSCC.