1. Tackling SCC: The Irish position and recent work Finola Mc Coy Moorepark

2. “I don’t get much mastitis but I have a high cell count……”

3. SCC Bacteria infection

4. “well, there’s nothing in it for me.......why should I bother?”

5. 94 cows, 40 hectare farm: 150,000 cells/ml350,000 cells/ml Milk sold510,000483,000 Milk Solids total35,98434,034 Culling %20.325.9 Total costs€162,800€169,192 Milk receipts€142,706€134,958 Profit€21,107€8,526 Profit/kgMS0.590.25 =€133 profit/cow

6. “It’s too difficult......nothing works......I can’t change it.....”

8. Vet Milking machine technician Milk Quality advisor Farmers Teagasc advisor €uroMilk-Team Work

10. Pilot group compared to all Glanbia suppliers Average bulk SCC 2000 - July 2010

12. €5,000 gain per farm

13. Example of 1 st action plan Recommended taskPersonDone 1.Draw up treatment plan, for use at drying off FMCX 2.Machine service (including report) and liner change SCX 3.Wear gloves at milkingDHX 4.Increase teat spray use-1L/milkingDH/PHX 5.Attend milking-assess teat end condition and milking routine FMC/JC

18.  Technical resources  IT solutions (ICBF)  Identify knowledge gaps  Social research-drivers/constraints Agreed, clear & consistent messages -best science & practice

19. Farm advisor Veterinary practitioner Milk quality advisor Machine technician Discussion group Agreed science & practice

20. A partnership approach Teagasc adviser Vet Farmer Milking Machine Technician Milk Quality Adviser Autumn 2011 Multidisciplinary training Create regional networks Build technical capacity

21. Industry targets Technical resources Communication strategy  Phase 1-discussion group pilot  Milk Quality Awards  Service provider networks & capabilities  Programme evaluation  Phase 1-discussion group pilot  Milk Quality Awards  Service provider networks & capabilities  Programme evaluation