Mastitis Loss Calculator

Somatic Cell Count (SCC) is an extremely important measurement in the dairy industry and is often used as an indicator of the health of an animal's mammary gland and the quality of its milk. SCC is the number of cells, mainly leukocytes (white blood cells), present in one milliliter of milk. Leukocytes are immune cells that the body sends out to fight infections. 

Therefore, when SCC is elevated, it indicates that the cow is fighting an infection, usually in the mammary gland. This infection is often caused by mastitis, one of the most costly diseases affecting the dairy industry. Controlling SCC is an important part of managing a healthy and productive dairy herd.

The level of SCC in milk is not uniform throughout a herd. In some herds, a few cows may have a very high SCC, while most cows have a relatively low SCC. In other herds, SCC may be more evenly distributed, with many cows having moderately high levels.

These differences in SCC distribution between cows can affect the overall impact of subclinical mastitis on the herd. For example, herds with the same average SCC may experience different amounts of milk loss if SCC is concentrated in a few cows or more evenly distributed. Therefore, to provide a more accurate estimate of milk loss, the calculator needs information about how SCC is distributed across the herd.

Dividing the herd into quarters is a simple way to provide this information. Quarters divide the herd into four equal groups, each representing 25% of the herd. The first quartile is made up of the cows with the lowest SCC, while the fourth quartile is made up of the cows with the highest SCC. By providing the average SCC for each quartile, the calculator can account for the variation in the SCC distribution and provide a more accurate estimate of milk loss.

Mastitis is an inflammation of the mammary gland, which is usually caused by a bacterial infection. There are two main forms of the disease: clinical and subclinical. Clinical mastitis is easily identifiable by visible signs such as swelling, redness, pain and changes in the milk, such as the presence of clots or pus. However, subclinical mastitis is much more difficult to detect, as it does not present these visible signs.

Although subclinical mastitis can be more difficult to detect, its economic consequences can be more significant than the clinical form of the disease. This is because subclinical mastitis can reduce milk production, affect milk quality and make the cow more susceptible to other diseases without producers realizing it. In fact, it is estimated that the financial losses caused by subclinical mastitis are greater than those caused by clinical mastitis. Therefore, this calculator was created to help producers identify and quantify these hidden losses, allowing them to make informed decisions about the management of their herds.

Milk production loss due to subclinical mastitis is a complex concept, influenced by a number of factors including the severity and duration of the infection, the cow’s lactation stage and the management strategy adopted. This calculator simplifies these complex factors and estimates milk loss based on each cow’s Somatic Cell Count (SCC) level and her daily milk production.

Milk loss is estimated by calculating the difference between the milk production that the cow would have if she had a healthy SCC (generally considered to be less than or equal to 100.000 cells/mL) and the cow's current milk production. This calculation is based on the assumption that milk production is inversely proportional to the SCC level, a concept that has been validated by several studies.

To make this calculation, the calculator uses an equation derived from research that relates SCC to milk yield. This equation assumes that milk production decreases by a certain amount (usually expressed in grams per day) for every 1.000 cells/mL above the healthy limit. In other words, the higher the SCC, the greater the expected milk loss.

Estimating the economic losses caused by subclinical mastitis takes into account several factors, primarily reduced milk production, but also potential reductions in milk quality, increased animal health costs and increased culling of sick cows. In this calculator, the focus is specifically on the loss of income due to reduced milk production, which is often the most direct and measurable consequence of subclinical mastitis.

Economic loss is estimated by first calculating the milk loss in each quartile of the herd, as described in the answer to question 3. Once the milk loss is determined, the calculator multiplies this amount by the current market price of milk to determine the income loss.

It is important to note that this is a simplified estimate and may not include all potential economic losses associated with subclinical mastitis. For example, the calculator does not take into account the additional costs of treating and maintaining cows with mastitis, or the potential for reduced milk value due to reduced quality. However, the calculator provides a useful estimate of the direct economic impact of subclinical mastitis on milk production, which can be an important first step in understanding and managing this condition.

While the calculator is a useful tool, it is important to recognize its limitations. First, the calculator is based on several simplifying assumptions. For example, it assumes an inverse linear relationship between SCC and milk production, which may not always be the case. Additionally, it assumes that all cows with a high SCC have subclinical mastitis, which may also not be true, as there are other conditions that can elevate SCC.

Second, the calculator focuses only on lost milk production as a measure of the economic impact of subclinical mastitis. This means it may underestimate the true cost of the disease as it fails to consider other important factors such as treatment costs, impact on milk quality, increased culling and potential effects on reproduction.

Third, the calculator requires the user to provide the average SCC for each quartile of the herd. This requires a relatively high level of data detail, which may not be available to all producers.

Finally, the calculator provides estimates based on the current herd situation and cannot predict how future changes in management, herd health or the milk market may affect economic losses. Therefore, while the calculator can provide a useful estimate of current losses, it is important to use it as part of a broader approach to managing herd health and productivity.

THE Somaticell is committed to ensuring the privacy and security of its users' data. We follow all best practices provided for in the General Data Protection Law (LGPD). This means that any data you provide when using the calculator is used only for calculation purposes and is not stored or shared without your explicit consent. We strive to maintain a safe and secure environment for all of our users.

Yes, the use of the calculator Somaticell is completely free. Our goal is to provide a useful and accessible tool for producers, veterinarians and other agricultural professionals to help manage herd health and productivity. There are no hidden costs or paid features - you can use all the features of the calculator for free.