🐄 High cell counts in milk – what really helps

Leopold Tazreiter’s cell counts were always between 150,000 and 200,000. Since he started using STALLKRAFT bedding, they are down to 70,000. That is very, very low — he says so himself. And Andreas Ehrenbrandtner has been able to ship every liter of milk since then. No culling, faster milking, better quality. Two farms. Two stories. And natural minerals are what make the difference.

When we talk to dairy farmers, the topic of cell counts is almost always on the table. Sometimes as a quiet worry, sometimes as a true emergency. High cell counts cost money, time, and nerves. And they can lead to a delivery ban. That threatens the very existence of the farm.

What many don’t know: The solution is often not found in veterinary medicine alone. It’s found in the barn. In the bedding. In the feed. And in a volcanic mineral that has been lying in the earth for millions of years.

What cell counts actually mean — and why they are so important

Cell counts (= SCC, Somatic Cell Count — the number of somatic, i.e., the body's own, cells per milliliter of milk) are the most important indicator of a cow’s udder health. The more inflammatory processes occurring in the udder, the higher the cell count.

A healthy udder has cell counts between 10,000 and 100,000 cells per milliliter. Beyond that, problems begin — insidiously at first, then with measurable economic consequences.

What do the numbers specifically mean?

Below 100,000: healthy — this is every farm’s goal

100,000 to 200,000: subclinical mastitis (= udder inflammation without visible symptoms) possible — often undetected, but already associated with milk loss

Above 200,000: impairment of udder health almost certain — according to technical literature, udder disease is already present here

Above 400,000: legal limit exceeded — immediate consequences

And the consequences are serious: Once the geometric three-month average reaches 400,000 cells, milk price deductions are a risk in Austria and Germany — and repeated exceedance can lead to a delivery ban. The dairy will then stop collecting the milk until two representative samples taken 4 days apart prove the value is back below the threshold. For the farm, this means: discarded milk, loss of income, and stress.

In Austria, the "S-Class" applies at under 250,000 cells — to reach the best price category, the farm must therefore remain well below that. Those at 150,000 have some breathing room. Those at 350,000 are in the danger zone.

What many don’t know: From 400,000 cells on, a milk yield loss of at least 10% is to be expected — per affected cow, over the entire lactation. That is hard cash.

Why cell counts rise — the real causes

High cell counts usually have several causes simultaneously — that is what makes them so stubborn:

Damp lying stalls are the most frequent trigger. Moisture in the sleeping area means germ pressure (= a high concentration of bacteria and germs in the barn environment) right at the udder. Staphylococci, streptococci, and coliform bacteria multiply explosively in damp bedding — waiting to penetrate the udder.

Poor barn air stresses the cows' immune system. Ammonia (NH₃) in high concentrations weakens the mucous membranes and makes the animals more susceptible to infection. What you can smell is doing harm.

Subclinical mastitis (= udder inflammation without visible symptoms such as swelling or clots in the milk) remains undetected — until the cell count in the monthly check by the dairy is suddenly too high. Many farms do not know that several cows are already affected.

Stress around calving — the so-called transition period (= the critical weeks before and after birth) — massively weakens the immune system. During this phase, cows are particularly susceptible to udder infections.

Mycotoxins (= mold toxins) in the feed place additional burden on the immune system and can increase cell counts — even if the feed looks normal on the surface.

And then there is the insidious process: cell counts rise slowly over months — and then suddenly very quickly. Those who do not react early must fight a long, arduous path back.

What zeolite actually does — new studies from veterinary journals

Ural 2014 — 80 Holstein cows, direct SCC measurement

One of the most direct studies on zeolite and cell counts: 80 healthy Holstein cows at a private dairy in Turkey. 40 animals received 3% clinoptilolite in their feed, 40 remained as a control group. A total of 2,560 milk samples were taken — morning and evening, over 16 weeks.

The result: The zeolite group had significantly lower SCC values than the control group (p<0.01) — and at the same time a higher milk volume. Fewer infections, more milk. Both together.

„Supplementing with clinoptilolite in dairy cows increases milk production and decreases somatic cell count." — Ural (2014), Revista MVZ Córdoba 19(3), DOI: 10.21897/rmvz.86

Đuričić et al. 2017 — Chemical composition and udder health

20 Holstein cows, 10 with zeolite, 10 as a control group — over five consecutive monthly measurements. The zeolite group showed stably lower cell counts over the entire observation period. The milk composition — fat, protein, lactose — remained stable or improved. No negative effects on the animals.

Source: Đuričić et al. (2017), Veterinarska Stanica 48(4), pp. 257–265

Gračner et al. 2020 — MDPI Animals, 78 cows

78 dairy cows divided into a zeolite group and a control group. The control group had a 1.96 times higher risk of udder infections. Fewer infections directly mean lower cell counts — because the SCC rises as a reaction to infections.

„Cows from the CON group had a 1.96 times higher risk of intramammary infection than cows from the CPL group." — Gračner et al. (2020), MDPI Animals, DOI: 10.3390/ani10020202

Narváez et al. 2022 — Clinoptilolite reduces SCC in the transition period

One of the newest review articles (Latin American Archives of Animal Production, 2022) confirms: Zeolite as a nutraceutical (= a natural dietary supplement with health-promoting properties) reduces the SCC in dairy cows during the critical transition period — exactly when the risk of mastitis is highest. As an antioxidant (= protects cells from oxidative stress), immunomodulator (= regulates the immune system), and ion exchanger, zeolite acts on several levels simultaneously.

Source: Narváez et al. (2022), Latin American Archives of Animal Production, DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.87969

Maity et al. 2021 — Metabolomics, University of Zagreb

The most scientifically sophisticated study on zeolite in dairy cows to date. Using metabolomics (= analysis of all metabolic products) and proteomics (= analysis of all proteins), it was shown: Zeolite restores the energy balance in the transition period — and thereby simultaneously reduces the risk of mastitis, ketosis, and fatty liver. Because a negative energy balance is one of the main triggers for immune deficiency and elevated cell counts.

Source: Maity et al. (2021), Metabolites, DOI: 10.3390/metabo11120842

Aflatoxin study — 56% fewer mycotoxins in milk

A finding that is surprisingly relevant for many farms: 15 Greek dairy herds with elevated Aflatoxin M1 levels in tank milk received 200 g of clinoptilolite per animal daily. After 7 days, the aflatoxin concentration in the milk had decreased by an average of 56.2%. Fewer mycotoxins mean less strain on the immune system — and thus lower cell counts in the long term.

Source: Katsoulos et al. (2016), BMC Veterinary Research, DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0735-5

What farmers report from practice

Read the feedback from farmers here >>

The mastitis paste — a special tip passed along by farmers

Mix STALLKRAFT zeolite with organic apple cider vinegar into a creamy paste. Apply to the affected areas of the udder, where the hard spots are — ensure intensive contact by rubbing it in. Let it take effect for a few hours until the paste dries and falls off by itself. Repeat several times a day.

Why it works: Zeolite forms a protective film that keeps new germs away. It soaks up wound secretions and inflammatory products — and takes them with it when the paste falls off. Organic apple cider vinegar lowers the pH value to a slightly acidic environment where staphylococci and coliform bacteria can barely multiply. Laboratory studies confirm the antibacterial properties of clay minerals against a broad spectrum of pathogens (Haydel et al. 2008).

AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms — the third force against high cell counts

Zeolite bedding dries and binds germs from the outside. TIERKRAFT zeolite strengthens the immune system from the inside. And AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms — produced at the Loidholdhof in Upper Austria — complete the system.

AM+PLUS in the barn as misting (= fine spraying into the barn air): 0.2 liters per 10 liters of water, spray at least 3x weekly. The lactic acid bacteria, photosynthetic bacteria, and natural yeasts displace pathogenic (= disease-causing) germs from the barn air and on the bedding surfaces. Fewer germs in the barn mean less germ pressure on the udder — and lower cell counts in the long term.

Bernhard Keplinger, an organic farmer from Bad Leonfelden, reports: "Since then, the climate in the barn has improved extremely. The smell of the manure is better, mixing it is much easier, and we no longer have flies in the barn. Even the vet asked us what we were doing in the barn."

No flies means fewer stress factors for the cows — and stress is one of the underestimated triggers for increased cell counts.

The three levels — how STALLKRAFT, TIERKRAFT and AM+PLUS work together

Outside: STALLKRAFT bedding keeps the lying stalls dry, binds ammonia and germs right where they originate — at the bedding, before they reach the udder.

Inside: TIERKRAFT zeolite as a feed additive strengthens the immune system, improves the energy balance in the critical transition period, and binds mycotoxins in the digestive tract before they enter the bloodstream.

In the barn: AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms displace pathogenic germs from the barn air and create a healthy microbial balance (= the sum of all microorganisms in the barn environment) — which supports the cows' natural defenses.

All three together work on the main problem: the germ pressure on the udder. Reduced germ pressure means fewer udder infections — and lower cell counts.

What you can do immediately — concrete measures

Step 1 — Optimize bedding: STALLKRAFT bedding 200–300 g/m² daily. Always keep the sleeping area dry. You often need less straw for dry boxes — the bedding saves on raw material costs.

Step 2 — Optimize feed: TIERKRAFT zeolite max. 1–2% of the daily total ration, mix into the moist feed. Especially important in the last 4 weeks before calving — when the risk of mastitis is highest.

Step 3 — Improve barn air: Spray 0.2 liters of AM+PLUS in 10 liters of water into the barn air at least 3x weekly. Germs and flies decrease noticeably.

Step 4 — For mastitis: Apply zeolite-apple cider vinegar paste externally to the affected udder. Repeat several times a day. Contact a vet in parallel — zeolite supports, but does not replace, veterinary treatment.

Step 5 — Stay at it: Cell counts do not drop overnight. Leopold Tazreiter managed it in weeks — but consistently, daily, systematically. If you stop, you start over.

Frequently asked questions about cell counts and zeolite

What is the difference between clinical and subclinical mastitis?

Clinical mastitis is visible — swollen udder, changed milk (watery, flaky, discolored), sick animal. Subclinical mastitis is not visible — the milk looks normal, the cow behaves normally. But the cell count rises. Most udder infections are subclinical — and only become visible during the dairy's check.

Can zeolite bedding also be eaten?

Yes — STALLKRAFT is high-quality feed lime. The organic herbs have a stimulating effect on digestion and well-being. If a cow licks bedding, she does so for a good reason.

How quickly do cell counts drop after using STALLKRAFT?

That is individual. Leopold Tazreiter brought his farm down to 70,000 within a few weeks. Other farms take longer — depending on the initial situation, barn construction, and number of animals. Important: apply consistently and daily. That is, between 2 and 10 days.

Can I also use STALLKRAFT with raised stalls with rubber mats?

Yes. The absorbency is just as important in raised stalls as in deep bedding — germs and moisture also form here. Cows often get open knee sores on hard mats, and small injuries heal faster with STALLKRAFT.

Application & Dosage

STALLKRAFT Bedding: 200–300 g/m² daily. Always keep the resting area dry. For Mortellaro: Create a lime bath; have cows walk through it after milking.

TIERKRAFT Zeolite: max. 1% of the total daily ration, mix into moist feed. Especially in the last 4 weeks before calving.

AM+PLUS Stable Air: 0.2 L per 10 L of water, spray at least 3x weekly.

Zeolite-Apple Cider Vinegar Paste: Mix STALLKRAFT with organic apple cider vinegar, apply to affected udder areas, repeat several times daily.

Our products for low somatic cell counts

👉 STALLKRAFT Bedding — Zeolite, lime, and organic herbs for dry, hygienic cubicles
👉 TIERKRAFT Zeolite — 100% clinoptilolite feed additive for dairy cows
👉 AM+PLUS Active Microorganisms — for stable air and udder health

Read more

Zeolite for cattle & dairy cows — the full article
Mastitis in cows — natural prevention and treatment
Zeolite in livestock farming: What studies really show
NH₃-binding in liquid manure: Concrete recommendations for action

References

Ural D.A. (2014): Efficacy of clinoptilolite supplementation on milk yield and somatic cell count. Revista MVZ Córdoba 19(3), DOI: 10.21897/rmvz.86 · Đuričić D. et al. (2017): Dietary zeolite clinoptilolite supplementation influences chemical composition of milk and udder health in dairy cows. Veterinarska Stanica 48(4), pp. 257–265 · Gračner D. et al. (2020): Effects of Dietary Vibroactivated Clinoptilolite on Intramammary Microbiological Findings. MDPI Animals, DOI: 10.3390/ani10020202 · Narváez M.R. et al. (2022): Clinoptilolite supplementation in the basal diet reduces somatic cells of multiparous dairy cows. Latin American Archives of Animal Production · Maity S. et al. (2021): Integrated Metabolomics and Proteomics Reveals Dietary Zeolite Clinoptilolite Supplementation Restores Energy Balance. Metabolites, DOI: 10.3390/metabo11120842 · Katsoulos P.D. et al. (2016): In-field evaluation of clinoptilolite on reduction of aflatoxin M1 in milk. BMC Veterinary Research, DOI: 10.1186/s12917-016-0735-5 · Haydel S.E. et al. (2008): Broad-spectrum antibacterial activities of clay minerals. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 61, pp. 353–361 · AMA Austria (2019): Amendment to raw milk classification · German Dairy Association: Somatic cell count limits