The somatic cells count in milk is usually used as an indirect indicator of udder health. An economic evaluation of the impact of this feature can be made directly through the milk payment system. When dairy commodities are sold, the influence of udder health can only be defined indirectly. The use of clinical mastitis for the economic evaluation of health effects seems to be an alternative solution in the future. In any case, it will be important to precisely define the traits and its relation to the other parameters.