Hygienic quality of raw milk in relation to methods of production and storage

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of systems of production and storage on the hygienic quality of raw milk. The study examined samples of bulk tank milk (n = 8400) collected between 2000-2002 in 350 farms differing in terms of milk production, systems of milking, cooling and milk collection. Milk of the highest microbiological quality was produced in farms producing over 60,000 liters of milk annually, equipped with milk pipeline systems and milking halls installed with modern systems of milk cooling and having direct milk collection. Milk with the lowest somatic cell count was produced in farms producing from 20,000 to 60,000 liters of milk. The relatively high concentration of somatic cells in large specialized farms producing over 100,000 liters of milk annually indicates the necessity to pay closer attention to the clinical status of udders in these herds. Statistical analysis over the years has confirmed that there is a continuing trend to produce milk having an ever-increasing quality of hygiene.