During milking, which stream is used for the California Mastitis Test (CMT)?

The California Mastitis Test (CMT) specifically requires the use of the second stream of milk during milking. This is because the first stream of milk may contain foremilk, which is relatively low in somatic cell counts and may not provide an accurate indication of udder health. The second stream, on the other hand, is more representative of the milk in the udder and is likely to reveal higher somatic cell counts if mastitis is present. Therefore, collecting the second stream ensures that the test can effectively detect intramammary infections and provide reliable results concerning the cow’s health. It’s important to follow this protocol for accurate diagnosis and herd management.