ABSTRACT:
Family operated dairies have contributed to increase milk production and can be considered important in the milk production chain. Hygiene in the productive process must be the major focus to assure greater milk quality and production. The quality of milk from cows in family farms in the city of Bofete/SP was monitored before and after the establishment of control measures. Twenty-one dairy family farms, selected for convenience, were evaluated. After the initial period of 13 collections for SCC and TBC monitoring, farmers of the two groups (G1 and G2) received technical guidance about mastitis and milk quality during a day of field activity. G1 farmers, besides these activities, received intervention in the adopted management by means of technical visit and individual guidance as to adequate milking manner and hygienic milk production. Then, new fortnight collections (n=12) were performed, as previously, of a set of milk samples from each farm and both groups, as well as from the community tank. Climate variables were considered, such as rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. There was a variation in the results of each collection for both SCC/mL milk and TBC/mL milk in the two periods. As to SCC in G1, there was a statistically significant decrease (P < 0.02), while for TBC there was a slight increase, rather lower compared to the median value, which was 381x103 CFU/mL milk in G2. The median results of SCC/mL milk and TBC/mL milk from the community tank were greater in the two stages (periods), but much superior for TBC. Analysis of the climate variables evidenced an increase in the medians for all three evaluated parameters. The correlation between these variables and milk quality did not show differences for Log10 of SCC and TBC. It can be concluded that the milking management hygiene was precarious.
INDEX TERMS:
Milk quality indicators; cattle; family farms; sanitary education; SCC; TBC