Cell counts in bulked milk supplies from dairy farms of northern Nigeria

Somatic cells in 596 milk samples collected from bulked supplies of 3 northern Nigeria dairy farms were counted by an electronic method following a standard method for the preparation of the milk samples. Mean somatic cell counts per ml indicating low level of infection were 158,597, 166,742 and 155,032 for the 3 farms, without any significant differences. Mean somatic cell counts per ml indicating herd mastitis averaged 354,768 +/- 66,348 and the pathogenic organisms isolated were Escherichia coli and Staphylocucus aureus. Counts useful for future regular monitoring of somatic cells in bulked milk supplies in northern Nigeria are presented.