Skip to main content

Table 8 Factors associated with bulk tank somatic cell score on 398 Irish dairy farms during winter, based on a multiple regression model

From: Farm management factors associated with bulk tank somatic cell count in Irish dairy herds

Variable

Level

SCS (SCC)

SE

P

Cleanliness of cubicles

Clean

12.43 (251)

0.041

*

 

Slightly dirty

12.51 (272)

0.047

 
 

Dirty

12.58 (292)

0.058

 

Cubicle bedding of cows

Sawdust and other

12.47 (260)

0.064

**

 

Shredded paper

12.36 (234)

0.090

 
 

Straw

12.55 (281)

0.084

 
 

Lime

12.61 (302)

0.050

 
 

Mats

12.53 (276)

0.051

 
 

Mats and lime

12.45 (255)

0.047

 
 

None

12.60 (295)

0.057

 

How often is the calving area cleaned?

Daily

12.42 (249)

0.048

**

 

Twice a week

12.64 (308)

0.051

 
 

Weekly

12.45 (256)

0.059

 
 

Three times a season

12.50 (267)

0.054

 
 

Twice a season

12.50 (270)

0.050

 
 

End of season

12.54 (280)

0.062

 

How often is the passage cleaned

Twice a day

12.58 (290)

0.047

*

 

Once a day

12.61 (299)

0.037

 
 

Every 1-2 hrs

12.52 (274)

0.055

 
 

Every 3-4 hrs

12.46 (257)

0.039

 
 

Every 5-7 hrs

12.50 (268)

0.052

 
 

Twice a week

12.45 (254)

0.108

 
 

Never

12.46 (258)

0.205

 
  1. ns (not significant), * P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001
  2. Somatic cell count (SCC), somatic cell score (SCS)