Trends in milk component production in dairy herds in Ontario: 1985–1994

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to investigate the dynamics of milk component production in dairy herds in Ontario, Canada, over time and to assess the impact of changes to the allocation of milk quota and payment systems on component production. The data consisted of monthly production records from all of the approximately 11 000 farms that shipped milk in Ontario between March 1985 and July 1994.Farm mean yields of milk and milk components have increased over the past decade. The mean fat percentage among the farms increased from 3.85% in 1985 to 3.99% in 1994; protein percentage remained relatively constant at 3.30% in 1985 to 3.32% in 1994. The percentages of protein and fat showed a seasonal pattern. Relatively high component percentages were observed during the fall of each year, and low component percentages were observed during the summer months. Mean fat and protein percentages did not appear to change in response to changes in the allocation of quota or pricing systems. Farms with high (or low) relative protein percentage in one year tended to maintain high (or low) relative protein percentage in the subsequent year, suggesting that herd level factors are related to protein percentage. Key words: Milk components, time trends, dairy