Animal Health Ireland begins search for healthiest herds in the country

Animal Health Ireland has begun its search for the country’s healthiest herds with the launch of the CellCheck Milking For Quality awards.

Formally launched with sponsors FBD at the Irish Farm Centre, Dublin, the awards recognise those producers who achieve the highest standards of mastitis management.

The awards will be based on the somatic cell count data compiled by the Department of Agriculture and analysed by ICBF.

CellCheck programme manager Finola McCoy said: “The award is an initiative to acknowledge and recognise the excellence of farmers who are currently achieving very high standards of udder health on farm, and to provide a goal for others to aim for in the future.”

It also gives positive feedback to the milk processors who are providing somatic cell count data to the department, under a protocol developed by Animal Health Ireland, ICBF and the Department.”