Reduction in Somatic cell counts

by Tim Montgomery March 4, 2021

Frank Patterson farms in the Braid Valley, Co. Antrim. He is currently milking around 85 Holstein x Friesian cows with butterfat 4.39, protein 3.48 and averaging 8,000lts.

Frank’s first introduction to the principle of being able to reduce somatic cell count and combating cases of clinical mastitis without the use of antibiotics, came some 17 months ago when he attended a farmer’s meeting hosted by Matrix Animal Health representative Tim Montgomery explaining the novel approach of using a new product containing a combination of ingredients including Beta-Carotene, which boasts anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties:

“On this farm we put a big emphasis on milk from grass, with the cows out grazing up until just a few weeks ago we also focus on milk quality,” Frank explained.

“Previously to trying the Healthy Udder Boluses, we had been heavily reliant on antibiotics to keep our cell count down at a good level and for treating cases of clinical mastitis. This reliance on antibiotics

“was something that we consciously knew we had to reduce as the onus is on us as livestock owners to protect the farming industry, so I was delighted when I heard how the Healthy Udder Bolus could help me achieve this goal.

“When we get our milk recording back we highlight any high cell count cows and they get the bolus. Nearly without exception it will at-least halve their cell count.

“We also use the bolus with confidence on many cases of clinical mastitis, if we detect early stages of clinical mastitis when we are stripping out the cow, she gets the Healthy Udder Bolus too and within a very short period she will be back to normal. There is zero milk withdrawal, therefore no dumped milk and no lost revenue. We have also seriously reduced the antibiotic usage on this farm. So for us it’s a win-win scenario.”

Tim Montgomery from Matrix Animal Health added: “The chemistry and theory behind the Healthy Udder Bolus is new to the UK and Ireland with an unique combination of Beta-Carotene, Allicin and Zinc thus ensuring anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

“The bolus has antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria.

“Feedback from our customers has been extremely positive. Farmers are commenting that the ‘Healthy Udder Bolus’ has succeeded in significantly helping with Somatic Cell Count in the vast majority of cases.

“We are seeing fantastic results on farm with these new boluses both in terms of lowering SCC levels and the Mastitis burden.

“Farmers understand their responsibility to reduce their reliance on antibiotics and this product helps them with that goal, with the extra benefit of more milk in the tank”.