UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Somatic cell count (SCC) is an important indicator of udder health and milk quality, and management conditions may influence its variation. This study assessed selected milking-hygiene and environmental-management practices under field conditions and compared SCC in Murrah buffaloes maintained under field and organised farm conditions. Milk samples were obtained from 72 buffaloes in each management setting, while field-level hygiene practices were assessed in 72 observations. SCC was determined using a Lactoscan somatic cell counter, and group means were compared statistically. The mean SCC was significantly higher under field conditions (1.11 ± 0.10 × 10⁵ cells/mL) than under farm conditions (0.81 ± 0.07 × 10⁵ cells/mL; t = −2.458, df = 142, p = 0.015). Under field conditions, washing animals before milking was recorded in 65 of 72 observations, whereas udder and utensil washing were recorded in all 72 observations. Satisfactory handler/milker cleanliness was observed in 35 of 72 cases, and adequate drainage was present in only 20 of 72 field units. Thus, basic washing practices were widely adopted, but notable gaps remained in handler hygiene and environmental sanitation. The higher SCC observed under field conditions occurred alongside these management differences; however, the study design does not establish causality. These findings support stronger field-level hygiene, drainage, and routine SCC monitoring to improve udder-health management in Murrah buffaloes.