Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Impact of Somatic Cell Count on Milk Yield and Composition in Simmental Cows Under Semi-Arid Conditions of Erbil

https://doi.org/10.58928/ku25.16329
Volume 16, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Page 262-268
Kirkuk University Journal for Agricultural Sciences (KUJAS)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Shireen Ihsan Izzadeen 1
Ali KAYGISIZ turkiye 2

1 Salahaddin University College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences animal resource department

2 Animal Resource Department , Agriculture College, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University, Kahramanmaraş, TÜRKIYE.

Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects somatic cell count on milk yield and composition in Simmental dairy cows. The cows were milked by machine twice a day during the period. Milk samples were taken at monthly intervals from each cow during the evening milking between September 2024 and April 2025. Monthly variation significantly affected milk yield and composition (P < 0.001), whereas somatic cell count did not show a statistically significant effect (P = 0.1315). The ratio of fat, protein, solid not fat, lactose, density, salt, freezing point, water, milk temperature and milk electrical conductivity no statistical difference was observed in the level of somatic cell counts (P˃0.05). The somatic cell count increased (P˂0.001) in milk with high levels of somatic cell count. Milk fat percentage was significantly higher in cows with ketosis (P < 0.001), whereas protein levels increased significantly in cows with acidosis (P = 0.003). This study indicates that high somatic cell counts negatively affect not only milk composition but also milk yield and quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects somatic cell count on milk yield and composition in Simmental dairy cows. The cows were milked by machine twice a day during the period. Milk samples were taken at monthly intervals from each cow during the evening milking between September 2024 and April 2025. Monthly variation significantly affected milk yield and composition (P < 0.001), whereas somatic cell count did not show a statistically significant effect (P = 0.1315). The ratio of fat, protein, solid not fat, lactose, density, salt, freezing point, water, milk temperature and milk electrical conductivity no statistical difference was observed in the level of somatic cell counts (P˃0.05).

Keywords

somatic cell count
milk yield
milk composition
acidosis
ketosis
Subjects
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