Evaluation of the use of good practices in dairy cattle herds

ABSTRACT. Oliveira A.A., Seixas L., Azevedo H.C., Teixeira K.M., McManus C. & de Melo C.B. Evaluation of the use of good practices in dairy cattle herds. [Avaliação da utilização de boas práticas em rebanhos bovinos leiteiros.] Revista Brasileira de Medicina Veterinária, 37(1):73-77, 2015. Universidade de Brasília (UnB/FAV/DINO), Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, ICC Sul, Asa Norte, Brasília, DF 70910-900, Brazil. E-mail: cristianomelo@unb.br The aim of this work was to evaluate and monitor milk quality using good practices (GP) for milking procedures, and thereby improve sanitary conditions and milk safety during milking process, storage and transportation. For each milk sample, the somatic cell count (SCC), total bacteria count (TBC) and milk components were determined. Initially, 236 dairy farms were monitored in the Tabuleiros Costeiros, Agreste and Semi-arid regions of the State of Sergipe, in the northeast of Brazil. Twenty family farms were then selected for implementation of GP procedures. It was verified that, before the use of GP, only 12.94% of the farms produced milk that had hygienic quality consistent with the legislation in Brazil. The use of GP procedures during milking and subsequent cooling raised this rate to 32.53%. The results demonstrated the importance of a hygiene program during milking, storage and transportation of milk