Take it from the Swiss: Best management practices result in high quality milk
US - Switzerland is known for high quality. When we think of Swiss chocolate, watches or the Swiss Army knife, we always think of quality. The people of Switzerland seem to have a quality mind-set in whatever they do. Therefore, it should be no surprise to us that the Swiss have the world’s highest quality milk.
20 February 2007
2 minute read
Somatic cell count (SCC) is one indicator of the quality of milk. The number of somatic cells increases in response to bacteria. Since 1992, the national average SCC in Switzerland has been just over 100,000. By comparison, the U.S. has an allowable legal maximum of 750,000.
How do the Swiss produce the world’s highest quality milk? They have 750,000 dairy cows and 42,000 dairy herds. Average herd size is small (17), production lower (12,000 pounds per cow) and average milk price is higher ($26 per 100 pounds of weight). Overall, the economic magnitude of the Swiss dairy industry is on par with Minnesota, which generates $2.2 billion per year. While smaller herd size and lower production with lots of pasture may partially explain the low average SCC, this is not the entire story.
Since 1973, there have been very strong penalties for any milk over established milk quality standards for bacteria, SCC and antibiotics. For example, after a Bulk Tank Somatic Cell Count (BTSCC) quality violation, Swiss dairies must produce milk with BTSCCs less than 350,000 for three consecutive months in order to be restored to full milk price.
Needless to say, with this very stiff penalty system, Swiss dairy producers have been very motivated to reduce herd mastitis levels and/or divert high cell count milk from the bulk tank.This strategy has had a very dramatic impact. Today in Switzerland, 17 percent of dairy cows are sub-clinically infected, compared with 31 percent in Minnesota.
How can we improve SCC in Minnesota? The same way the Swiss have -- we must be more self-motivated and consistently apply the very well-known best management practices that have been proven time and again to result in low SCC high quality milk:
- Provide housing and bedding to keep cows (including dry cows) clean and dry.
- Make sure teat surfaces are thoroughly and consistently cleaned before each milking. Keep teat surfaces clean between milking.
- Use fore-stripping to achieve good milk letdown and identify clinical mastitis cases.
- Divert milk from high SCC quarters away from the bulk tank.
- Achieve consistent and complete teat coverage when applying pre- or post-milking teat dip.
- Be sure that milking equipment is consistently cleaned and sanitized, and operating correctly.
- Consistently store milk at less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Quality milk depends on applying good management practices every day. The most important milk quality practices that need improvement in Minnesota are improved cow cleanliness and pre-milking cow prep procedures.
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