Somatic Cell Count: Costs and Benefits for Dairy Farms
Regular somatic cell count (SCC) testing can support dairy-farm decisions about udder health and milk quality. Its financial value depends on the farm, the testing program, and local milk payment rules.
Where high SCC can affect farm income
- Milk production losses associated with udder inflammation.
- Reduced quality premiums or buyer penalties where applicable.
- Veterinary investigation and treatment costs.
- Discarded milk when treatment or buyer rules require it.
- Additional labour and repeat testing.
Use your own farm figures
A universal percentage saving is not a reliable return-on-investment estimate. Compare your actual milk payment schedule, SCC trends, testing frequency, labour costs, consumable costs, and veterinary records. Milk quality requirements differ by market and buyer.
What routine SCC testing adds
Testing can help identify elevated results and prioritize further investigation. Repeated measurements provide more context than one result. Decisions about treatment and herd management should be made with a veterinarian or milk quality adviser.
Calculate the full cost of testing
Include the instrument, consumables, operator time, maintenance, and any laboratory confirmation needed. Review the SomaticScan automated cell counter or request information for your workflow.