What is Cell Count Solutions?

Cell Count Solutions is a collaborative initiative between dairy companies, local advisers and Countdown Downunder that provides herds with chronically high cell counts an opportunity, incentive and way of reducing their cell count.

In 2005, about 400 dairy herds across Australia have an average Bulk Milk Cell Count exceeding 400,000 cells/mL, and another 1000 herds were between 300,000 and 400,000 cells/mL.

 

Region

Herds with annual average BMCC above 400,000 cells/mL

Herds with annual average cell counts between 300,000 cells/ml and 400,000 cells/ml

Gippsland

3.3%

63

165

NSW

4.9%

45

136

Northern Victoria

5.4%

133

258

Queensland

5.1%

48

189

SA

1.6%

6

18

Tasmania

3.7%

20

48

WA

1.2%

3

20

Western Victoria

4.6%

86

210

National

4.4%

404

1044

Cell Count Solutions aims to help farmers reduce the BMCC of these herds and maintain that change in the longer term.

There are considerable benefits for dairy farmers, dairy processors and the Australian dairy industry from achieving these outcomes.

Benefits for dairy farmers

Dairy farmers participating in the initiative benefit from:

  • Text Box: Example: Countdown’s modelling shows reducing the annual average BMCC of a herd previously sitting between 401,000-500,000 cells/mL by 200,000 has a typical net benefit of about $170 per cow per yearIncreases in farm profitability - the fiscal benefits of reduced cell counts extend far beyond a bigger milk cheque. They include higher milk production, less money spent on clinical mastitis (each case costs $170) and less milk discarded.

  • Fewer clinical cases and the hassles of dealing with them.

  • A more viable farm business - receiving the best possible price for milk supplied reduces vulnerability to changing circumstances (such as domestic and international market forces, drought etc).

Benefits for dairy processors

The initiative offers dairy processing companies the opportunity to:

  • Text Box: Example: Countdown’s modelling shows that typically a herd which lowers its’ annual average BMCC from 600,000 to 380,000 will supply about 4.5% more milk (litres) as a result of increased production and a reduction in discarded milkIncrease milk volume in the supply base.

  • Improve processing efficiencies and the continuity of supply of high quality raw milk.

  • Meet the cell count requirement for companies exporting dairy produce to the European Union – a standard that is being increasingly used in other export markets.

  • Minimise the risk of antibiotic residue – lower cell counts mean fewer infected cows and less antibiotic treatments.

  • Build better relationships with suppliers.

How does it work?

Cell Count Solutions is a twelve month program. It begins with skilled local investigators conducting a comprehensive investigation on your farm (using the Countdown Downunder Mastitis Investigation Pack) to investigate and define the cause of the problem on your farm and then to work with you to develop a corrective plan of action for your herd.

Supported and assisted by your dairy processor, progress is then monitored for a twelve month period to ensure that changes in cell count and mastitis control are sustained for the long term.

For more information contact your dairy processor!

                                 

                                       

                       

Documents for Case Managers - please click here

 

 

  For more information on Countdown Downunder
  contact your regional project manager,
  your factory, or e-mail rod@countdown.org.au 
  Before using the information on this site please read our legal notice.

  Site design by eleven99