Veterinary visits to dairy farms with somatic cell counts and bacterial loads above the agreed legal parameters

The EU Directives 92/46 and 92/47 (D.P.R. 54/97 under national legisla­ tion) fix the agreed levels of somatic cell counts and total bacterial counts allo­ wed in milk. Over a one year period, a total of 165 farms which did not comply with one or more such legal requirements were visited and monitored. This was in order to check and, where necessary, correct the hygienic and sanitary ma­ nagement of the farm. A comparison of the bulk tank milk somatic cell count (BTMSCC) before and after the veterinary visit, shows improvements in all the farms which were tested. In a relatively short time, visited dairy farms with a somatic cell content between 401.000 and 500.000 cells/ml managed to comply with the parameters set down by law, achieving a mean of 304.000 cells/ml. However, those farms with a somatic cell counts between 501.000 and 800.000 cells/ml required further technical action. In fact, despite considerab­ le improvements (mean somatic cell count decreasing from 638.000 cells/ml to 403.000 cells/ml), it was not possible to meet the required levels so rapidly. On these farms, a second veterinary visit was needed as well as more specific milk sampling for bacteriological assay and therapeutic guidelines in order to meet the specified requirements.