The objective of the research was to monitor, over a long period, the efficacy of a bedding treatment in controlling the environmental pathogenic populations and their correlation with the SCC content in the milk.

The study was carried out over 2 years on a farm with 60 lactating cows in cubicles with wheat straw. The bedding samples were taken monthly, for a year, from 6 different areas before treatment and were repeated in the same areas for a further period of 12 months, during treatment. The bedding was treated weekly with SOP C COW, using the standard dosage.

The parameters monitored were: Total microbial load, Micrococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, SCC.

The somatic cell data shows a statistically significant reduction in the bacterial count during the treatment period and a significant correlation between the bacterial count and the SCC values. From the results of the trial, it can be confirmed that this hygienization treatment of the bedding and the farm environment should be considered as an integral part of correct farm management, in order to improve conditions of hygiene and health on the farm.