View Presentation Application

Improving Milk Quality on Pennsylvania Dairy Farms Through Individual Farm Assessments to Increase Profitability

Animal Science

Emily Fread
Dairy Educator
Penn State
Mifflinburg

Abstract

According to the 2022 US Census of Agriculture, there are 4,027 dairy farms in Pennsylvania. Mastitis, or an infection of the mammary gland, is one of the costliest diseases in the dairy industry as it results in a drop in milk, and an increase in treatment and labor costs. A Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of 200,000 or greater indicates mastitis. The Penn State Extension dairy team’s objective for this program is to assist farmers in improving SCC to increase farm profitability and increase knowledge of milk quality. The team conducts individual milking evaluation farm visits to assess milking procedures and other factors that affect milk quality on individual farms. Educators also use Vadia units to assess how cows are letting down their milk and if they are being overmilked. Since 2023, 85 milking evaluations have been conducted, accounting for about 11,088 cows. The team received a Farmer Partnership Grant from Northeast SARE totaling $25,083 to continue this program. This grant allows educators to complete a follow-up farm visit to assess practice implementation. This grant runs from Aug 2024 to Nov 2026. 36 farms in 19 counties have been enrolled so far on this grant. This grant has also allowed the team to complete 3 Milk Matters: Practical Steps to Better Milk Quality workshops across the state with 43 attendees. 2 more are currently planned. The survey results for this workshop show that 100% of participants (n=34) showed at least a somewhat increase in knowledge because of attending a workshop. 93% were at least somewhat likely to implement a management change. Overall, since 2023, individual farm milking evaluations have decreased SCC by 153,650 (n=20), and increased profitability by $18,517. In conclusion, this program continues to keep dairy farms in PA in business, and has increased profitability. Authors: Emily Fread, Angela Breneman, Daniela Roland
  1. Emily Fread Dairy Educator, Penn State Extension, Pennsylvania, 17844
  2. Angela Breneman Dairy Educator, Penn State Extension, Pennsylvania, 17601
  3. Daniela Roland Dairy Educator, Penn State Extension, Pennsylvania, 17201