This year almost 270 farmers across Australia have been rewarded for their top quality milk.
A number of Australia’s dairy farmers have again been rewarded for producing top quality milk in the 2016 Dairy Australia Countdown Milk Quality Awards.
The awards recognise farms across Australia in the lowest five per cent based on annual average bulk milk cell count (BMCC).
And this year, the data collected by Dairy Australia for the 2016 awards demonstrated farmers achieved their best results nationally since the collection of national bulk milk cell count data from milk processors commenced.
There was 78.5% in the top quality band for BMCC in 2015 (annual average below 250,000 cells per ml), compared with 63.1% in 2000.
This year almost 270 farmers across Australia have been rewarded for their top quality milk. A feature of the awards sees the top 100 farmers with the lowest BMCC rewarded with a gold plaque.
Dairy Australia Program Development Manager – Animal Health & 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’s 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