Milk quality is directly linked to udder health and welfare in dairy cows, with high somatic cell counts indicating chronic inflammation that causes suffering and production loss.
High somatic cell counts represent chronic udder inflammation - cows that are experiencing ongoing infection and discomfort. Herd SCC monitoring provides a welfare signal at the population level: herds with high SCC have widespread udder disease affecting multiple animals. The financial incentive of milk quality premiums aligns economic and welfare interests, making high SCC reduction both financially and ethically motivated.