Bulk milk somatic cell counts are related to bulk milk total bacterial counts and several herd-level risk factors in dairy goats

The aim of this study was to describe the temporal variation in bulk milk somatic cell count (BMSCC) on Dutch dairy goat farms and to assess the correlation of BMSCC with bulk milk total bacterial counts (BMTBC) and with several herd management factors. Bulk milk somatic cell count and BMTBC data were recorded from 90% of the dairy goat farms in the Netherlands over the years 2005 to 2007. Farm characteristics and management information was collected by means of questionnaires. The bulk milk data and the questionnaire data were linked and linear mixed models were used to identify risk factors for increased BMSCC and BMTBC. Bulk milk somatic cell count was found to display a distinct pattern throughout the year, being highest around December and lowest around June. Bulk milk somatic cell count correlated to BMTBC (r = 0.4). Significant factors in the BMSCC model were month in lactation, treating mastitic animals instead of culling, caprine arthritis encephalitis status, milk fever prevalence, and liner material. Month in lactation and treating mastitic animals instead of culling were also significant in the BMTBC model. In the high-BMSCC period, a higher number of goats with an extended lactation significantly reduced the BMSCC. Thus, this study indicates that mastitis-related factors account for some of the variation in BMSCC and BMTBC levels between dairy goat herds. It shows that intramammary infection is probably the most important factor driving the correlation between BMSCC and BMTBC, suggesting that programs to improve udder health may have a positive effect on both BMSCC and BMTBC.