Worth €37.5m to cut Ireland’s somatic cell count in milk by 10%

If the average somatic cell count (SCC) in Irish milk was reduced by 10% it would be worth €37.5m to the dairy industry.

In 2014, 53% of Irish herds had SCCs less than 200,000; in 2010, only 26% of herds achieved that target

Teagasc experts, in their milk quality handbook, estimate that a 100-cow dairy herd with average SCC at 400,000 incurs additional mastitis related costs of €11,700, compared with a similar herd at 100,000 SCC.