A high quality milk production requires a constant health udder observation. The somatic cell count is used as a reliable and internationally recognized method. The former research showed a jeopardized udder health condition of high productive milk cows. An insufficient milk production in the last few years caused Croatia to import a large number of Holstein cows. We wanted to compare a possible distinction of health udder in imported and domestic cows.
Research was conducted on 257 Holstein cows out of which 155 were domestic and 102 imported. During the research period, domestic cows had a lower medium rate for LSCC (3,77) than the imported cows (3,94). Better results in domestic cows were also found in percentage share to 400.000 SCC/ml of milk (72,90% in domestic cows and 65,69% in imported cows). Results were compared according to lactations, lactation stages and farms, but statistically significant differences were not found. Health udder as the most important factor of quality milk production should be included into cattle-breeding program of Croatia as soon as possible. According to research results, domestic cows have good predispositions for maintaining a healthy udder and quality milk.

somatic cell count; health udder; holstein cow

Published by University of Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagreb, CROATIA
Sponsored by Ministry Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia