Green County Herds Recognized for Milk Quality

Green County dairy producers are well recognized for producing the high-quality milk that results in the production of some of the finest cheese in the world. Dairy farms are unique because efforts to produce a high-quality product must occur every day. The success of our dairy industry has been built on the consumers’ confidence in the quality of our dairy products. The top Green County dairy herds will be recognized at the upcoming Annual Green County DHI Membership Luncheon for producing high quality milk based on their somatic cell count (SCC) levels.
Production of high-quality milk is dependent upon maintaining excellent hygienic standards. Somatic cell counts are actually a count of the number of white blood cells present in a cow’s udder. Since white blood cells are used by the cow’s immune system to fight infections, a low number of these cells in the cow’s milk are an indicator of healthy and infection free udders and higher quality milk. Conversely, a high SCC number indicates that at least one or more quarters in the udder has an infection. Dairy operations must be able to meet the task every day of producing a high-quality product. The Green County average SCC for all DHI herds on test in 2017 was 215,000 cells per milliliter.
The top three DHI herds in both the small herd category and the large herd category are being recognized for having the lowest herd linear score somatic cells counts for Green County dairy herds in 2017. The top three herds are presented with certificates and the top herd in each size category also receives a large aluminum milk house sign sponsored by the Green County Milk Quality Council.
Top honors in the small herd category (115 cows or less) went to Shantell Holsteins, operated by Larry and Linda Disch of New Glarus. They milk 42 cows and had a weighted somatic cell count (SCC) of 56,000/ml. and a linear score of 1.3. Second place in the small herd division went to High Road Dairy, Monroe, and third place to Jeff and Kate Hendrickson, Belleville.
Gaining top honors in the large herd division (100 cows or more) was Binders Holstein and Brown Swiss of Monticello. Their herd of 134 cows had a weighted average SCC of 55,000/ml. and a linear score of 1.3 for 2017. Second place in the large herd division went to went to Rollin Green Dairy, Brooklyn, and third place went to Valley Mead, Monticello.