Cell count targets.

[Clay52]

Seen in mentioned before but can't remember any set goals or tagets to hit.

What is a would be considered a very good target for % of herd under 200 and 1000 cell counts.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Plenty of KPIs in here https://www.nmr.co.uk/uploads/files/files/NMR500Herds-Report-2016.pdf
Table 1b has mastitis

 

[Bald Rick]

Went to a very interesting talk by vet James Breen recently on SCC. Never knew the subject could be quite so interesting but the gist is that a high SCC is better for the cow than an ultra low one and ideally the running herd average should be 150-200.

Dry period was critical as was selective dry cow therapy targetting the appropriate animals.

 

[Clay52]

Went to a very interesting talk by vet James Breen recently on SCC. Never knew the subject could be quite so interesting but the gist is that a high SCC is better for the cow than an ultra low one and ideally the running herd average should be 150-200.

Dry period was critical as was selective dry cow therapy targetting the appropriate animals.

I've heard that before and I don't believe it and haven't seen it myself. When we used to run between 150-200 we had so many more mastitis and other health problems. 200 cell count indicates a high probability of infection. A 200 average indicates a lot of infection in the herd.

A herd running an average of 150 can mean multiple things. Saying that it's ideal makes me suspicious of the advise because the target isnt specific enough to claim it is ideal.

 

[Clay52]

Plenty of KPIs in here https://www.nmr.co.uk/uploads/files/files/NMR500Herds-Report-2016.pdf
Table 1b has mastitis

Thanks.

 

[Bald Rick]

I've heard that before and I don't believe it and haven't seen it myself. When we used to run between 150-200 we had so many more mastitis and other health problems. 200 cell count indicates a high probability of infection. A 200 average indicates a lot of infection in the herd.

A herd running an average of 150 can mean multiple things. Saying that it's ideal makes me suspicious of the advise because the target isnt specific enough to claim it is ideal.

I suspect (if it still runs) that this is very similar to the talk he gave us (scroll down to the James Breen presentation)

http://totaldairy.com/past-events/total-dairy-expo-2016/

 

[Fergieman]

I would say 100% under 1,000,000 cells. Dosn't happen every recording but does happen.

 

[Clay52]

I suspect (if it still runs) that this is very similar to the talk he gave us (scroll down to the James Breen presentation)

http://totaldairy.com/past-events/total-dairy-expo-2016/

Problem with reccomending an average is they don't tell the whole story.

A 150 cell count average with all cows sitting around 150 is likely very good.

A 150 cell count with a heap of cell counts at 5 and a heap over 400 is likely very poor.

That's why an average reccomendation is bad.

My cell count is 100. Should I buy a few 1000 cell count cows to boost that up to the 150 reccomendation? Doesn't make sense but it would get it to his 150 ideal.

 

[Clay52]

I would say 100% under 1,000,000 cells. Dosn't happen every recording but does happen.

Yeah that's right, probably not much point worrying about it, any are bad. They are usually on the cull list anyway.

 

[Bald Rick]

Problem with reccomending an average is they don't tell the whole story.

A 150 cell count average with all cows sitting around 150 is likely very good.

A 150 cell count with a heap of cell counts at 5 and a heap over 400 is likely very poor.

That's why an average reccomendation is bad.

My cell count is 100. Should I buy a few 1000 cell count cows to boost that up to the 150 reccomendation? Doesn't make sense but it would get it to his 150 ideal.

Well yes, i can see what you're getting at but i think he was trying to stop farmers panicking too much about high counts in the short term. No doubt my son will remember his talk much better than me and can fill in the gaps!

 

[Blue.]

I haven't recorded for 7 years,generally run about 150 or so,it's not something that concerns me a great deal,a good milker knows problem cows.

 

[Clay52]

I haven't recorded for 7 years,generally run about 150 or so,it's not something that concerns me a great deal,a good milker knows problem cows.

How does a good milker find chronic high subclinical cows?

 

[Will Blackburn]

A 150 cell count average with all cows sitting around 150 is likely very good.

A 150 cell count with a heap of cell counts at 5 and a heap over 400 is likely very poor.

I have to disagree, the second scenario is so manageable. Imagine both scores move the wrong side of a payment bonus. Which one is simple to correct. Which one allows you to significantly reduce AB use?

 

[Blue.]

How does a good milker find chronic high subclinical cows?

X-ray eyes


They always show up sooner or later.

 

[Clay52]

I have to disagree, the second scenario is so manageable. Imagine both scores move the wrong side of a payment bonus. Which one is simple to correct. Which one allows you to significantly reduce AB use?

Sell the high counts (which is what I do). Now you are below the "ideal" 150 range that is supposedly worse.

I think we are actually agreeing.

 

[More to life]

So how low is to low and if it's to low what do you do ?

 

[Ducati899]

a good milker knows problem cows.

Can I like that more than once [emoji106]

 

[buffalo_soldier]

130 would be low end for me, above 150 and I'm looking for reasons.

Just looked mine up top 4 cows are 1027, 823, 772 and 618.

All 4 are barren and culls.

 

[jimmer]

How does a good milker find chronic high subclinical cows?

he aint good if he doesnt

 

[jimmer]

So how low is to low and if it's to low what do you do ?

stop post routine