Almost 270 dairy herds nation-wide have been rewarded for producing top quality milk in the 2016 Dairy Australia Countdown Milk Quality Awards.
Data collected by Dairy Australia demonstrated farmers achieved their best results nationally since the collection of national bulk milk cell count data from milk processors commenced.
The milk quality awards recognise farms with the lowest five per cent average bulk milk cell count (BMCC).
More than 78pc of producers featured in the top quality band for BMCC in 2015, with annual averages below 250,000 cells per millilitre, compared with 63.1pc 15 years ago.
The top 100 farmers with the lowest BMCC received a gold plaque.
Dairy Australia program development manager - animal health and fertility, Erika Oakes said milk quality across Australia was continually improving each year.
“This year we have recorded some very low average bulk milk cell counts across Australia,” Ms Oakes said.
“It’s good to see so many farmers making a real concerted effort in both maintaining high quality milk and improving milk quality.
“There are many familiar names who have celebrated high milk quality success for many years which is a real credit to them.”
Ms Oakes said while milk quality was constantly improving each year, it was important farmers remained vigilant.
A higher milk cell count generally occurs with mastitis, which in turn impacts milk quality and what products the milk can be used to make.
“Controlling mastitis and maintaining milk quality is a constant issue farmers need to remain on top of – they can’t afford to become complacent about it,” she said.
“Reducing mastitis on-farm improves cow comfort and welfare, saves time at milking and considerable money in terms of lost milk production and animal treatments.”
Dairy Australia’s Countdown program has recently launched a series of videos and shed guides which cover off the prevention and treatment of mastitis in a format which makes it quick and easy for farmers to keep on top of mastitis control.
These materials are also available online at www.dairyaustralia.com.au/shedguides
“We’ve had great take up of these materials, which have been ordered by more than 1200 farmers,” Ms Oakes said.
“We have to acknowledge the work and support from the milk companies in this area, who have also been using Countdown materials to help farmers.
“Coming up to spring calving season, farmers need to keep a close eye on their cows and stick with their hygiene practices and systems like wearing gloves and using teat spray.”
Data for the Countdown Milk Quality Awards is supplied to Dairy Australia by dairy companies across the country and to be eligible, dairy farms must have data for a minimum of nine months in a calendar year.
Monthly averages are then used to calculate the annual average BMCC for each farm and the winners are those five per cent of farms with the lowest BMCC.
For the full lists of the top 5pc and top 100 farms in the milk quality awards, visit http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Animal-management/Mastitis/Milk-quality-awards/2016-Milk-Quality-Awards.aspx
