Effect of restricted suckling on somatic cell counts in cross holstein cows

Objective. To assess the effect of restricted suckling on somatic cell counts (SCC) in Holstein Friesian crossed. Materials and methods. The study area is located in the Valley of Cuche municipality of Santa Rosa de Viterbo (Boyaca, Colombia). The experimental sample was formed of 20 primiparous cows and 20 multiparous cows by 75% and 87.5% pure Holstein Friesian, which were grouped according to the number of lactations. The study population was divided in two experimental units. In one unit was realized the mechanic milking, and the brooding nourishment AR, and in another one was made using mechanic milking, without brooding nourishment CA. The nourishment was made since the 4th day unit the 84th day of the brooding age for both systems. The experiment was carried out since January 2008 until October 2008, beginning the fourth day after birth, until the end of the lactation Results. The incidence of mastitis cows was 17.5 for CA and 6.25% for AR. The effect between breeding system and the lactation period in CCS is highly significant (p<0.001), CA cows showed higher values of significance (p<0.001) compared to cows assigned to the treatment of RA during weeks 2 - 14 of lactation. Conclusions. The restricted suckling system significantly lower somatic cell counts and substantially improves the health of the udder.