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those dairy plants involved in federal programs. 



Imitation milk has been packaged and offered for sale 

 in northern New England, but it is reported that its ap- 

 peal to the consuming public is not very good. 



This division planned a leucocyte monitoring program to 

 be made available to all milk plants in Massachusetts. The 

 plan called for samples of milk to be taken monthly from all 

 dairy farms in Massachusetts, delivered to the diagnostic 

 laboratory in Amherst and there screened to determine the 

 number of blood cells (or leucocytes). A high number of 

 leucocytes indicates that the milk is abnormal and probably 

 that the cow has a problem with mastitis. This program would 

 be most beneficial to the dairy farmer and the consumer be- 

 cause it would make available to the farmer information on 

 the trend of the quality of his milk so that if something were 

 wrong he cou].d take steps to correct it early. No funds were 

 available for this program. 



The elimination or at least control of mastitis in dairy 

 herds makes for a better quality milk and a higher produc- 

 tivity per co\f. Our present program for the eradication of 

 streptococcus agalactiae has increased. \Ie are now covering 

 approximately 60^ of the herds in the state. 



A statistical report is attached. 



