NMC Blog

Somatic cell count (SCC) in Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) herds enrolled in SCC testing in the U.S. averaged 233,000 in 2009, which was less than the 2008 average of 262,000. This compares to 276,000 in 2007; 288,000 in 2006; and 296,000 in 2005.

Most states (42) had lower average SCC than the previous year; only six states had higher averages. Variation among states remains large, ranging from less than 200,000 to more than 400,000. State average SCC was lower than the national average for mountain and western states, and often higher for southeastern states.

The current federal SCC regulatory limit in the U.S. is 750,000, except in California where it is 600,000. In many other major dairy countries, the SCC limit is 400,000.

The overall percentage of herd test days that exceeded 400,000, 500,000, 600,000, and 750,000 during 2009 were 18.9%, 10.3%, 5.8% and 2.7%, respectively. (The 2.7% figure may overestimate the percentage of herds with milk exceeding the legal limit for bulk tank SCC on test day, because the milk of cows treated for mastitis is included in DHI test data, but is excluded from the bulk tank.)

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National Dairy Quality Awards (NDQA) recipients were recognized during the NMC 49th Annual Meeting, January 31 – February 3, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

This year’s top-ranked Platinum winners, which were honored during the luncheon, were: Kathy and Randy Bauer, RKB Dairy, Faribault, Minnesota;  Randy and Becky Drier, Hi-Lo Springs Holsteins, Norwalk, Wisconsin;  Taylor and Alan Henderson, Henderson Farms, Schaghtcoke, New York;  Robert and Terri Ketchum, Ketchum Farms, Utica, Minnesota; Tom McClellan, McClellan Farms Inc., Delavan, Wisconsin;  Michigan State University Dairy, Lansing, Michigan; and Denise and Donald Rice, D&D Dairy, Filion, Michigan.

photo credit Hoard's Dairyman

In addition to the seven Platinum winners, there were also 17 Gold and 22 Silver NDQA winners.

Click here to read brief bio’s about Platinum winners, along with a listing of the Gold and Silver winners (and the nominators).

The NMC has joined several other public health organizations, agencies and associations supporting consumption of pasteurized milk and discouraging the sale and consumption of raw milk.

In those areas where raw milk is legally sold, NMC encourages development of uniform regulations and safety standards; and consumer and producer education concerning production, sales and consumption of raw milk.

[Read the position statement here.]

Registration is now open for the NMC 49th Annual Meeting, to be held January 31 – February 3, 2010, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The conference, targeted towards all segments of the dairy industry interested in udder health, milking management, and quality milk production, features an outstanding program that will help attendees meet the evolving demands for milk quality. Over 400 people from around the world are expected to attend.

Click here for the complete program, hotel and travel information, and online registration.

Online registration is recommended. Not only is online registration fast, easy, and secure, you will also be automatically entered into a drawing for a cash gift card. Register today!

Get ready to make your plans for the upcoming NMC 49th Annual Meeting, scheduled for January 31-February 3, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Click here to find a preview of the presentations at the pre-conference symposium, general session, and short courses, as well as a link to online hotel reservations. Complete details, including registration, should be available online around November 21.

The Summary of Peer-Reviewed Publications on Efficacy of Premilking and Postmilking Teat Disinfectants Published Since 1980 is compiled by the NMC as a way to provide teat dip efficacy information to the dairy industry. The Summary, which includes information such as product name, manufacturer, active ingredient(s) and product efficacy, is updated annually and published in the NMC Annual Meeting Proceedings and posted on the website [click here].

Research papers published since the Summary was last compiled (January 2009) are currently being reviewed for possible inclusion in the next summary (2010 NMC Proceedings). To be considered, the paper must have been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, and the study must have followed protocols essentially as described by the NMC.

If you have a research paper to be considered for inclusion in the updated Summary, click here. The deadline for submission is December 1, 2009.

In the third annual NMC Scholars Program, the National Mastitis Research Foundation (NMRF) Board of Directors chose four graduate students as the 2010 NMC Scholars.

The program’s goal is to encourage graduate student participation in NMC programs and activities. Funded by the NMRF, this year’s NMC Scholars will receive travel scholarships to attend the NMC 49th Annual Meeting, January 31 – February 3, 2010, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. [Read full story.]

One of the popular sessions at the NMC annual meeting is the Technology Transfer Session (TTS). The TTS supplements the main program by providing mastitis and milk quality information through the use of posters and one-on-one interaction. The session is designed to provide a forum for exchanging information in an informal, relaxed atmosphere.

TTS participants also have the option to submit their poster presentation for consideration as an oral presentation during the Research and Development Summaries Session (R & D Session). This session is designed to offer an opportunity for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and research associates to be involved in the oral presentations at the NMC meeting.

Click here for additional information on participating in these sessions, which will be held during the upcoming NMC 49th Annual Meeting, January 31-February 3, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The deadline for manuscript submission is October 30, 2009.

The 49th NMC Annual Meeting will be held January 31 – February 3, 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Details about the program and registration will be posted on the website in October. NMC members will also be notified when registration is open.

Information about the NMC Technology Transfer Session (poster session), held during the meeting, will also be posted soon. Applications and 2-page manuscripts for the poster session will be due October 30. Watch the website and NMC member e-newsletter for details.