Manipulating milk quality in the modern dairy herd

Abstract

In the current milk market there are considerable incentives available to increase the milk solids content of milk and practitioners need to be able to advise clients on the merits of and changes to these incentives. Milk solids concentrations vary considerably between breeds but higher solids are generally associated with lower milk volume yields. Milk yields and milk solids production are heritable and can be altered by careful bull selection but as yield increases milk solids generally fall. Milk solids production is also affected by season of the year (lower in the summer), stage of lactation (lower at peak yields) and overall yield. Increased fibre intakes will raise butter fat concentration, but will often depress yields. Protected fats will also lift butter fat concentration, but need assessing for cost effectiveness. Milk proteins are generally lifted by increased energy intake and increased starch supply. Careful attention to rumen health will generally increase milk solids output.