What is one effect of high somatic cell counts in milk?

High somatic cell counts in milk indicate a higher presence of white blood cells, which usually signals that the cow may be experiencing infection or inflammation, often related to mastitis. This condition can negatively affect milk quality, leading to off-flavors and other undesirable traits.

As a result, milk with high somatic cell counts is likely to be viewed as lower quality by processors and consumers, ultimately decreasing its marketability. Dairy processors often have strict standards that milk must meet regarding somatic cell count; exceeding these limits may result in the rejection of the milk or lower prices offered to dairy farmers. Therefore, high somatic cell counts can directly impact the economic viability of dairy operations by reducing the value of the milk produced and affecting sales in the marketplace.