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WITH UK farmgate milk prices maintaining a downward trend since the start of 2020 , dairy farmers are being urged to maximise their contract returns by continuing to produce low somatic cell count ( SCC ) milk . And feeding protected selenium can help , says a nutrition expert .
“ Milk buyers penalise you for high SCC milk , which can be an indication of sub-clinical mastitis , so it makes sense to continually manage your herd to minimise this potential loss of income . It pays to target less than 100,000 cells per ml of milk year-round , which indicates disease-free status and secures your payment bonuses ,” says ruminant specialist Jacob Lakin from Azelis Animal Nutrition .
However , he explains that alongside the immune status of the cow , many factors
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© Agriphoto
can influence SCCs , including breed , stage of lactation , body condition score , parity , seasonality , milking hygiene and even poor nutrition .
“ Consequently , dairy farmers must employ an integrated strategy to reduce mastitis incidence and high SCCs – and effective breeding , husbandry , disease management , nutrition and milking routine hygiene are all important ,” he says .
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Mr Lakin says that maintaining an adequate selenium status is particularly important as milking herds move into the early winter feeding period .
“ Dairy cows have a seleno-dependent enzyme known as glutathione peroxidase , which protects the epithelial cells in the mammary gland from oxidative stress . And research has clearly shown the beneficial effect of ensuring the selenium levels supplied are adequate , within recommendations and that the source of the trace element is of high quality .”
He explains that feeding a high-quality selenium enriched yeast , such as Plexomin Se 2300ppm – with a large part of the mineral supply coming from organic selenomethionine – will definitely help as part of a multi-faceted approach to help keep bulk milk tank SCCs below the crucial 100,000 cells per ml threshold .
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What ’ s more , he adds that in high SCC cows , milk yield and composition can also be adversely affected to deliver a ‘ double whammy ’ of lost returns .
“ A reduction in milk yield is often associated with an increase in mastitis severity . When mastitis develops milk lactose concentration drops , which results in a lower output . This yield reduction is also associated with the damage caused to the epithelial cells of the mammary gland , so any nutritional support that can help to offset this process is well worth considering ,” he says .
Maintaining an adequate selenium status going into the autumn and early winter feeding period can help lactating cows produce low somatic cell count milk .
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