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Factors determining milk quality and implications for production structure under somatic cell count standard
F Dong1, D A Hennessy, H H Jensen
1Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison 53706-1503, USA.
Journal of Dairy Science
|September 18, 2012
Summary
US milk producers face pressure for higher milk quality standards. Factors like farm location, herd age, and management practices significantly influence somatic cell count (SCC) levels, impacting milk quality.
Area of Science:
- Dairy Science
- Agricultural Economics
- Food Safety
Background:
- Increasing consumer and processor demand for high-quality milk necessitates adherence to stringent product standards.
- International standards for somatic cell count (SCC) are tightening, influencing US dairy industry practices.
- The US National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments maintained the 750,000 cells/mL SCC standard in May 2011.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model producer and farm-level characteristics associated with somatic cell count (SCC) in US dairy production.
- To identify factors influencing milk quality and adherence to varying SCC standards.
- To analyze the impact of farm management and demographics on milk SCC levels.
Main Methods:
- Utilized ordinary least squares and quantile regressions on 2005 US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Resource Management Survey Dairy Costs and Returns Report data.
- Analyzed cross-sectional data on farm structure, expenses, demographics, and outputs.
- Employed quantile regression for a detailed examination of statistical associations with SCC.
Main Results:
- Lower SCC levels were associated with locations outside the Southeast, younger herds, full-time farming status, biosecurity adherence, superior milking facilities, and quality testing.
- Farm size showed minimal impact on SCC levels when other factors were controlled.
- Farms not meeting the stricter 400,000 cells/mL SCC standard often had older operators, planned exits, smaller sizes, and were located in the Southeast.
Conclusions:
- Farm characteristics such as location, herd age, and management practices are critical determinants of milk somatic cell count (SCC).
- Adoption of biosecurity, advanced facilities, and quality management positively correlates with lower SCC.
- The transition to stricter SCC standards may favor larger, more committed dairy operations, potentially impacting farm structures and ownership models.
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