Factors influencing somatic cell count in the milk of selected dairy cow breeds

The objective of my study was to analyse the influence of selected factors in relation to somatic cell counts (SCC) in bulk milk samples of raw cow´s milk. Milk samples were tested in eight cowsheds with different technology of breeding and milking for a period of three years. The SCC values were determined by the Fluoro-opto-electronic method using the apparatus Fossomatic. A significant factor influencing the SCC was the season. The highest average values of the SCC were found in the summer months. The lowest average values of the SCC were determined in the loose bedded cubicle housing (250.103.ml-1), while the difference in the SCC compared to the loose bedding-free slatted floor housing (SCC average 317.103.ml-1) was highly statistically significant (p < 0,001). In the tie stall with bedding was the SCC average 292.103.ml-1. A highly statistically significant difference in the SCC (p < 0,001) was also demonstrated between breeds in the milking parlour (SCC average 265.103.ml-1) and breeds in the milking stall in the pipeline systems (SCC average 292.103.ml-1). It also showed a statistically highly significant difference in the SCC (p < 0,001) between breeds dominated by the Holstein breed cows (SCC average 285.103.ml-1) and breeds with breed prevalence of the Czech Fleckvieh cows (SCC average 265.103.ml-1). The level of yield was also affected by the SCC. There was no statistically significant difference among the farms using grazing and breeding without any possibility of keeping cows on pasture