By Carlos Niño de Guzmán, Ph.D. Student, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gustavo Schuenemann, DVM, Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State U., and Albert De Vries, Animal Sciences, University of Florida
Every morning as the day starts, cows get ready to be milked in every organic farm across the country. For many producers, the goal is clear: healthy cows, high-quality milk, and sustainable dairy operations. Yet, one adversary remains at the forefront: mastitis. Being one of the most common and challenging problems in the dairy industry, it does not only impact welfare but also cuts into productivity and profitability.
Over the last 28 years, the U.S. dairy industry has celebrated tremendous improvements in milk quality. Somatic cell counts, a key measure of milk quality, has dropped by almost 43%, signals of sustained producer innovation, attention to detail, and research. Still, for organic farms, the challenge is clear and unique: success without antimicrobials means prevention, vigilant management, and creative solutions are not only preferred, but they are essential.
This is the challenge we set to address with our USDA-funded project: “Solutions for Controlling Mastitis and Improving Milk Quality in Organic Farms: An Integrated Approach.” Together, with a dedicated team of researchers from the University of Florida, Colorado State University, Ohio State University, Cornell University, University of Wisconsin—Madison, University of Minnesota, and most importantly—organic dairy producers themselves, we embarked on a nationwide journey looking for answers. Organic dairy farmers—many of them Amish—should be proud of what they have accomplished. Despite working without antimicrobials and often with smaller herds and fewer external inputs, many organic farms achieved exceptional milk quality that rivals or exceeds national benchmarks. These results reflect deep commitment, strong stewardship, and a culture of care passed down through generations.
One of our questions was simple but crucial: What are the top management practices behind the best milk quality in organic dairy farms?
To get to the heart of this, our project teams visited 72 certified organic dairy farms across 12 states. From the West to the East coast, we visited small farms averaging 49 cows per farm, medium farms averaging 408 cows per farm, and large farms averaging 2,489 cows per farm, totaling more than 31,000 organic dairy cows. Alongside surveys related to management practices, milking routine and housing and bedding management, we also conducted hands-on management evaluations such as evaluating milking systems, timing milking routines, scoring udder and teat end hygiene, and facility conditions.
The best milk quality was not the result of a single practice, but rather a well-executed system built on simple, effective processes. Top-performing farms consistently applied a set of management practices that began at dry-off, included frequent evaluation of milking equipment, and relied on strict, repeatable milking routines. When these practices were implemented together, farms were far more likely to achieve and sustain excellent milk quality. After collecting data across the country, we found that the top 10% farms were those consistently below 100,000 somatic cell counts in cells/mL, and less than 3.8 clinical mastitis cases per 100 cows per year. But what practices set these farms apart? The answers were not as simple as a single management practice but emerged through careful analysis and identification of multiple strategies.
One theme that stood out: farms that frequently evaluated their milking systems—for claw vacuum levels, pulsator function, vacuum stability, and milking routines—were more likely to achieve low somatic cell count and low clinical mastitis incidence. Thirty percent of the farms we visited never or rarely evaluated their milking systems or routines, leading to problems like low claw vacuum levels, uncalibrated pulsators, and unstable vacuum, which was seen in 31% of the herds. Over-milking was another common issue, explained by the fact that 53% of the farms used manual takeoffs. It is crucial to be on top of the milking routine, especially when manual cluster removal is used.
After each milking, udders are exposed to the environment, particularly the bedding. Therefore, keeping bedding clean and dry is crucial as well. We found that 66% of the farms clean their bedding daily, and 30% replace or add more bedding weekly. However, almost 20% never clean the bedding, and 14% never replace or add bedding. Farms that keep their bedding fresh, clean, and dry are more likely to excel in milk quality and control mastitis.
It is well known that the dry-off period is the most important risk factor for mastitis. Organic dairy farms face the challenge of not being able to use antimicrobials, meaning dry cow therapy is not an option. We found top farms are reducing milking frequency in addition to changing the diet to reduce energy intake and therefore lower milk production before dry-off. Reducing pressure in the mammary gland, which can delay keratin plug formation and teat canal closure, is another key management practice for herd health and reducing mastitis in the next lactation.
Taking advantage of health programs that are permitted under organic regulations is essential—and vaccination is one of them. We found that 61% of the farms do not use vaccines to prevent mastitis, and over 50% of farmers do not think vaccines are important. With only a few vaccines allowed, it makes sense to take full advantage of those options. Farms that use vaccines as part of a veterinary-guided mastitis control program tend to have better milk quality, which benefits cow welfare and increases the milk check.
Almost 40% of the farms do not test individual cows for somatic cell count using a Dairy Herd Information (DHI) service, and around 30% do not identify sub-clinical mastitis cases. Because sub-clinical mastitis is not visible, testing is the only way to identify cows contributing high somatic cell counts to the bulk tank. Being informed and keeping good records allows for good management decisions, such as culling high-somatic cell cows or diverting milk from "millionaire" cows—those with millions of somatic cells—from the bulk tank.
Last but certainly not least, labor management and training of milking personnel are key practices linked to milk quality and mastitis control. Only 7% of the farms we visited provided monthly training for milking personnel. While training is essential, compliance with milking routine largely depends on motivation and understanding the reasons behind each step and valued by those doing the work. We found several farms where the milking routine differed significantly from what the manager or owner intended, often because personnel believed their own shortcuts were more efficient. In the case of family-operated farms, it is required that everyone who milks cows follows the same well-defined procedures, with emphasis on hygiene and positive animal-people interactions.
Farms that excel in milk quality and mastitis control consistently prioritize careful evaluation of their milking systems, maintain clean and dry bedding, implement strategic dry-off management, and make use of allowed health programs such as vaccination. They also monitor cow health by testing for somatic cell counts and identifying sub-clinical mastitis cases, enabling informed decisions on milk quality management. Regular training and communication with milking personnel also proves key, ensuring that best practices in milking routines are followed and maintained for the health and productivity of the herd.
The authors’ contact information: Gustavo M. Schuenemann, DVM, MS, Ph.D., Professor, Dairy Cattle Health and Management, Veterinary Extension Specialist, Ohio State University Extension, Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University A100S Sisson Hall, 1920 Coffey Road Columbus, OH 43210. Phone: 614-292-6924, Cell: 614-625-0680, Fax: 614-292-4142. schuenemann.5@osu.edu, https://vet.osu.edu/about-us/people/gustavo-schuenemann.
Albert De Vries, Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, 2250 Shealy Dr, Gainesville, FL 32608. Phone: (352) 474 3412, devries@ufl.edu.
Carlos A. Nino de Guzman Cerna MS. PAS, Ph.D. Student | Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, 2250 Shealy Dr., Gainesville, FL 32608. Phone: (352) 216-4301, ninodeguz.carlos@ufl.edu
Posted: to Industry News on Sat, Jan 10, 2026
Updated: Sat, Jan 10, 2026
