What is the average somatic cell count of Irish milk?

Somatic cells consist almost totally (98 %) of white blood cells. These cells are naturally present in the cow’s body and their role is to destroy bacteria and try to prevent it from infecting and damaging the udder tissue. Most cows that are free from infection or have had no previous infection would be expected to have a somatic cell count of less than 100,000 cells/ml and it is widely accepted that a somatic cell count (SCC) of greater than 200,000 cells/ml indicates the presence of infection in at least one udder quarter. A high SCC in the bulk tank indicates the presence of mastitis in the herd.

While the European Union regulatory limit for bulk tank SCC is 400,000 cells/ml, in Ireland, the industry-agreed goal is that by 2020, 75 % of all Irish milk will have 200,000 cells/ml or less. In Ireland, we have seen an annual reduction in the national bulk tank SCC, and the milk recording herd SCC since 2010. In 2016, the annual average SCC of Irish milk recording herds was 186,000 cells/ml.