Stress related to wild canid predators near dairy sheep farms associated with increased somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the association between wild canid predators reported near sheep farms throughout Greece and somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk as a reflection of milk quality. The study included 325 dairy sheep flocks, where bulk-tank milk somatic cell counts and total bacterial counts were measured and staphylococci were isolated. Farms were divided into three groups: Cohort A (farms with no reports of wild canid predators nearby), B (farms with canid predators (golden jackal and grey wolf) nearby yet with no experience of livestock losses to predation) and C (farms with canid predators nearby and livestock losses to predation). Somatic cell counts in bulk-tank milk of Cohort C farms were significantly higher, + 43% and + 29%, compared to those for Cohorts A and B, respectively: 0.617

SUBMITTER: Katsarou EI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10853181 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature