DOI: 10.36347/sjavs.2017.v04i11.010

Pages: 498-503

The aim of this study were to investigate the effect of bulk milk somatic cell count on milk quality of Holstein-Friesian cows, to evaluate a seasonal factor that influences bulk milk somatic cell count and milk quality and to understand a relationship between bulk milk somatic cell count and milk quality. Milk Samples were collected from dairy farms at Pingtung, Taiwan during December 2016 to June 2017. All samples were analyzed for protein, fat, lactose, pH, titratable acidity, ionic calcium, ethanol stability, and total bacterial count (TBC). Milk samples from bulk tank in dairy farms were allotted into 3 groups according to total SCC, including group 1 with SCC below 200×103/mL, group 2 with SCC ranged from 200×103 to 500×103/mL, and group 3 with SCC ranged from 500×103 to 750×103/mL respectively. The somatic cell count of bulk milk (BMSCC) influenced the milk quality in the dairy farm. The bulk milk with higher BMSCC showed higher fat, protein, ionic calcium content, pH, and TBC (p<0.01), and lower lactose content and ethanol stability (p<0.01). Total bulk milk somatic cell count between summer and winter season were significantly different (p<0.05). Differences among seasonal milk fat, lactose, and ionic calcium contents were siginificant (p<0.05). The highest bulk milk somatic cell counts were observed in summer season. Therefore, bulk milk somatic cell count level in the dairy farm showed a good indication for evaluating milk quality, including fat, protein, lactose, pH, ionic calcium, ethanol stability and total bacterial count.