
This study aimed to monitor milk parameters on three different dairy farms in the Czech Republic to describe their readiness for implementing selective dry cow therapy. Fat, protein, casein, lactose, solids-not-fat content, total solids content, freezing point, titratable acidity, and somatic cell count of quarter milk samples collected from tested Holstein cows were evaluated. Associations between the tested parameters, as well as the effects of parity, farm, day of calving, and time of evaluation at dry-off and after calving, were assessed. Values of the leading milk components dynamically changed between dry-off and after calving, but only protein content was significantly affected. The most important parameter of our research, the somatic cell count of quarter milk samples, was also not affected by the time of evaluation. Even though a slight increase in the mean of somatic cell count is expected before the dry period and after calving, at dry-off, we observed 30%, 42%, and 24% of quarters with somatic cell counts above 200,000 cells per mL, while after calving, we observed 27%, 16%, and 18% of quarters with somatic cell counts above 200,000 cells per mL on Farm 1, Farm 2, and Farm 3, respectively. High somatic cell counts (>200,000 cells per mL) indicate bacterial infection, as confirmed by the significant negative correlation between this parameter and lactose content. In addition, a deficient milk fat-to-protein ratio was observed on two farms, which may indicate metabolic disorders, as well as the occurrence of intramammary infections. Despite the above, we concluded that according to the thresholds of somatic cell counts for selective dry cow therapy taken from foreign studies, a large part of the udder quarters could be dried off without the administration of antibiotics. However, it is necessary to set up more effective mechanisms for mastitis prevention.
dry period, milk, somatic cell count, dairy cow, Veterinary medicine, Article, QL1-991, selective dry cow therapy, SF600-1100, Zoology
dry period, milk, somatic cell count, dairy cow, Veterinary medicine, Article, QL1-991, selective dry cow therapy, SF600-1100, Zoology
| citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 1 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
