Evaluation of mastitis risk through tank milk somatic cell count by the classification tree method in farms reared Brown Swiss breed cattle

Abstract

Mastitis is a serious disease that causes significant economic losses in dairy farming, negatively affecting milk yield and quality. This disease not only threatens the health of dairy cows but also reduces the economic efficiency of farms. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of various factors on tank milk somatic cell count (TMSCC) and assess the associated mastitis risk. The research was designed to encompass a total of 170 farms, from which 680 tank milk (TM) samples were collected. The Classification Tree (CT) method was used to examine how factors such as season, milking type, and breeding conditions categorized by districts affected mastitis risk. Additionally, the effects of variables like barn type and udder cleaning practices on TMSCC were evaluated. One notable finding of the study was the statistically significant effect of seasonal variations on the TMSCC value. The season in which the milk samples were collected played an important role in determining the somatic cell count. The research results indicated that factors such as season, milking type, and breeding conditions had a significant impact on mastitis risk. However, certain variables, such as barn type and udder cleaning practices, were found to have no significant effects in this context. Additionally, analyses were conducted to compare the quantitative differences in factors that did not demonstrate statistically significant effects on TMSCC. The study reported an arithmetic mean of 228,997 cells/mL and a geometric mean of 107,094 cells/mL for TMSCC. These values were found to be compliant with the upper limits set by the European Union (EU) and Turkish Food Codex for somatic cell counts in milk. Therefore, from the standpoint of public health, the consumption of milk and dairy products originating from these farms was deemed safe and unlikely to pose any issues. The findings of this study suggest that efforts should be increased to reduce the somatic cell count values in milk produced in the region to below 100,000 cells/mL. This proactive measure would further enhance the safety and quality of dairy products, benefiting both consumers and producers in the long run. Future research and interventions should develop strategies to achieve these goals.