Cow factors related to the increase of somatic cell count after introduction of automatic milking.

Cow somatic cell count (SCC) was studied on 15 farms changing from conventional to automatic milking. SCC was significantly higher and milk yield was significantly lower after installation of the AM-system. Fresh cows (< 60 days in milk) and second and third parity cows particularly showed a significant increase in SCC. Milk yield decrease was shown in fresh cows (< 60 days in milk), late lactation cows (> 300 days in milk) and in cows of second, third and higher than fourth parity. It is concluded that fresh cows should receive more attention when changing to automatic milking.