Milk quality and mastitis tests

Abstract

A variety of diagnostic tests are routinely used to evaluate milk quality on dairy farms. Tests such as bulk milk bacterial counts, bulk tank somatic cell count and tests for adulterants such as water, sediment or antibiotics are routinely used by regulatory agencies. Other tests such as individual cow somatic cell count values, Staphylococcus aureus milk antibody tests, the California Mastitis Test, milk conductivity and milk microbiology are often used diagnostically to investigate milk quality problems. Veterinarians also use various types of antibiotic susceptibility tests to help guide mastitis treatment decisions. The successful use of milk quality and mastitis tests requires knowledge of the methodology and diagnostic capabilities of each test. This paper reviews practical applications and supporting research of tests that are commonly used to investigate and solve milk quality and mastitis problems on dairy farms.