A Study of the Somatic Cell Count of Kosovo Bulk Milk Farm Management and Perspective

HYSEN BYTYQI¹*, PAMELA RUEGG², FILLOJETA RRUSETMAJ³. PAKIZE KASTRATI¹, SCOTT WELLS⁴.

¹Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary – University of Prishtina, Boulevard ”Bill Clinton” nn. 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo. ²Department of Dairy Science 1675 Observatory Dr. University of Wisconsin Madison WI  53706 USA.

³ Food and Veterinary Agency of Kosova, Industrial Zone, 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo.

 ⁴Center for Animal Health and Food Safety College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota 136 Andrew Boss Laboratory, 1354 Eckles Ave, St. Paul, MN  55108 USA.

*Corresponding author e-mail: hysen.bytyqi@uni-pr.edu

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the somatic cell count (SCC) in bulk milk farm management and its commercial perspective according to the milk quality standards in Kosovo. A 2069 raw bulk milk samples were taken from a milk collection points in four regions of Kosovo, with two months visits throughout a year. All samples were analyzed by using “FossomaticMinor” equipment, while for the results obtained and identification of different variables effect of SCC on raw bulk milk a general linear model was used. The effect of all variables was considered as a fixed. The overall results show that herd, region, and month of the year (P<0.0001), respectively, had a significant effect on the presence of SCC. Based on the country existing milk standards for raw milk, the results gained show about 29.6 % belong to extra class milk (SCC/mL<300.000), followed by milk quality class III^d,  I^st and II^d, 24.3%, 8.5%, 8.2% (SCC/mL >300.00 – <600.000), respectively.  Of concern is the fact that about 29.5% of total bulk milk analyzed tend to be out of milk quality standards, poor quality ((SCC/mL >600.000). The overall mean of SCC on milk was high 772.475 per mL milk, indicating negative farm profit correlation, poor animal health and food safety. The result obtained can be used for assessing raw milk quality and controlling herd management programs.

Keywords: Raw milk, milk quality, standards, variables, general linear model.