Influence of different dairy farming systems on milk quality and production (original) (raw)

During 2011, the impacts of two different dairy cow management systems (pastureconfinement and confinement-only), season and lactation on milk production and animal health was observed. Milk production and quality was estimated on the basis of the following parameters: daily production, fat content, protein, lactose, solids non-fat, somatic cells, indices of fat and protein, and the amount of urea in milk. Cattle raised in the pasture-confinement system (Farm 1) produced a significantly greater amount of milk than cows housed in a barn all year around (Farm 2). At Farm 1, milk yield was highest in summer, while on the Farm 2, it was highest in autumn. The content of milk fat, protein and non-fat dry matter was higher when milk production was lower (autumn) and vice versa. The content of milk fat and protein was lowest during summer. Significant differences between the two systems were also observed in the concentration of urea in milk. In the pasture-confinement system, the amount o...