Effectiveness of milking management practices for SCC and TBC levels in milk

ABSTRACT We aimed to evaluate the impact of milking management practices on milk quality though somatic cell count (SCC) and total bacterial count (TBC). By means of a survey that included farmers associated to two cooperatives, namely Cosulati in the state of Rio Grande do Sul and Castrolanda in the state of Paraná, the hypothesis that milking handling practices impact SCC and TBC levels negatively, regardless of the technological development level of the farm, was analyzed. For such, the quantile regression method was used to estimate models for the 10th, 50th, and 90th quantiles. The results confirmed that SCC and TBC levels decrease as the number of practices increases. However, only three practices impact SCC and TBC levels significantly, and their impact is not related to the farm technological level, according to tests performed by quantile regression. Finally, the study showed that some milk quality and management practices affect somatic cell count and total bacterial count more than others, which consists of using the correct active principle during dry cattle, post-dip, and the water temperature control periods.