Abstract
The basic goal of this research was to determine the impact of the presence of bacterial (CFU) and somatic cells count content (SCC) in quality of fresh milk in some small cattle farms in Kosovo. The survey was based on existing standards for milk quality in Kosovo placed under administrative guidance MA-no. 20/2006. The study was based on fresh milk analysis of 150 farms performed during the period September-December 2012, which was obtained in 9 different localities (collection points) of the Kosovo. Our study reveals that CFU and SCC in fresh milk were significantly affected by a number of factors, as: sampling period (repetition), locality, breed, and time of sampling (evening or/and morning). According to the results for CFU and SCC, there were big differences between the farms (milk collection points) included in the study (P < 0.0403) and (P < 0.0293). The results show that small size breed like Busha and its crosses tend to be less exposed to SCC/mL in milk (72.840) and (293.592), compared to Black Holstein (613.462), Simmental (521.519) and Brown Swiss (418.44). Milk produced in evening tended to be of better quality (259.854 CFU/mL) compared to the one from morning milking (576.689 CFU/mL). Fresh milk quality analyzed in the third repetition was better for about 33.3% compared with the repletion first. For CFU and SCC, the analyses show that about 74.7% and 64.7% of milk produced belongs to extra quality, while lower quality of milk of category three is 12.0% and 23.3%, respectively. Considering that about 85% of milk produced in Kosovo comes from small-scale dairy farms, the current study sets out that small-scale milk production system cannot be neglected by interest parties in dairy sector and needs permanent following up and improvement.
Highlights
It is considered that about 90% of dairy farms in Kosovo produce milk in small-scale farms which produce milk to cover their own needs and rarely trade [1]
Considering that about 85% of milk produced in Kosovo comes from small-scale dairy farms, the current study sets out that small-scale milk production system cannot be neglected by interest parties in dairy sector and needs permanent following up and improvement
For CFU and somatic cells count content (SCC), based on the results of this study and others similar conducted in Kosovo [2], [13] showed that some dairy farms produce milk with lower quality compared to quality standards
Summary
It is considered that about 90% of dairy farms in Kosovo produce milk in small-scale farms which produce milk to cover their own needs and rarely trade [1]. The quality of fresh milk in Kosovo [2] still remains quite low in comparison with existing standards and needs an immediate improvement by applying best practices advanced and appropriate intervention in infrastructure (e.g., milking equipment and adequate storage of milk, general hygiene on the farm, storage temperature, etc.). The bacteria content in milk is a reliable indicator of milk hygiene, showing a sick udder, non-hygienic manipulation (i.e., unfavorable temperature during storage, storage device, etc.) In this regard, [8] in their work to carefully describe the steps necessary in order to minimize contamination of fresh milk (i.e., cleaning hands, teats, nipples before milking and immediately after use, the milk containers for storage and transport of milk [9]). The negative effect of SCC presence is related to subclinical mastitis which is always related to low milk production, changes to milk consistency (density), reduced possibility of adequate milk processing, low protein and high risk for milk hygiene which may even contain pathogenic organisms [7]
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