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| The SCC increases when an individual udder or gland becomes infected with bacteria and starts to release somatic cells. The SCC can rise very quickly, and to very high numbers. |
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The thresholds at which a gland or cow is considered infected depends on the age of the cow, the number of quarters affected and the way that the milk sample was collected.
Typically a cow or heifer is considered infected if:
- A cow has an ICCC above 150,000/ml (herd test sample)
- A heifer has an ICCC above 120,000/ml (herd test sample)
If the SCC is measured on the first foremilk from an infected gland, the SCC threshold for infection is very much higher (i.e. above 500,000/ml).
In-line systems have their own thresholds for determining whether a cow is infected. Refer to supplier's information to determine threshold values.
What do farmers need to know?
Use herd test SCC information to monitor changes in mastitis of individual cows:
- An increase in the proportion of infected heifers (proportion over 120,000/ml) between herd tests often indicates contagious spread of mastitis.
- Strip to find clinical signs for cows with a (new) ICCC of over 500,000 or 1 million/ml.
Only treat cows with signs of clinical mastitis. It is not generally recommended to treat subclinical mastitis during lactation, as it is not cost-effective and often the cows will reduce their SCC on their own.
