National Milk Research Articles

A comprehensive method to assess the feasibility of renewable energy on Algerian dairy farms

In order to achieve self-sufficiency, increasing national milk production is a priority of the Algerian government. This will increase on-farm demand for electricity supplied primarily from fossil fuels, which contribute to the emissions of greenhouse gases and accelerate climate change. Hence, there is a need for promoting the use of renewable energy and low carbon technologies for the sustainable development of agriculture and to reduce environmental load. In this light, this study proposes a simple and comprehensive method to assess the feasibility and the impact of replacing the existing conventional systems with renewable energy. First, we estimate the electricity consumption of modern farms in major dairy regions. Then, we identify the optimal system for satisfying farm-related electrical energy needs. The proposed method called for generalizing a successful experience conducted in a typical farm with the same characteristics and meteorological conditions to demonstrate the benefits of renewable energy utilization. The hybrid optimization model for electric renewable (HOMER) software, developed by the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory, was used to determine the optimal system configuration in terms of net present cost, carbon mitigation, and renewable fraction. Renewable system components characteristics, prices, and electricity tariffs are modeled according to the Algerian market. Detailed sensitivity analyses of solar and wind resources, economic parameters as well as farm load variation on the optimal renewable energy system configuration are performed. In addition to the feasibility study focusing on the production of on-site clean energy to satisfy the load demand, this study investigates the impact of the introduction of grid-connected green energy on the energy balance of agricultural farms and the national power grid. We found that on-farm electricity consumption varies from 330 to 566 kWh/cow/year. The simulation results helped to determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of the proposed systems. We conclude that the proposed systems could improve the reliability of the utility grid during peak load periods by generating 136 GWh/year while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 80 million tons. This is one of the first studies that provides a clear approach for estimating electricity demand and determining the optimal renewable energy system for Algerian dairy farms. This approach is expected to contribute to the promotion of green technologies and sustainable development of the agriculture sector.

New national conversion line for Bactoscan FC in Italy: A step forward

To improve the reproducibility of flow cytometry technique for total bacterial count in milk, a conversion from instrumental results (impulses/μL) to the reference method resultes (cfu/mL) is needed. In 2008 in Italy, a project for a common conversion line for Bactoscan FC was initiated. In this paper we report on the second phase of the project focusing on the statistical procedure used to evaluate the validity of the data. The new conversion line, representative of national milk (2,732 valid samples from 29 labs) obtained from both rounds of the study is: Log10 (cfu mL-1) = Log10 (IBC μL-1) x 0.939 + 2.559, with S y:x= 0.282 with an application range up to 70,000 IBC μL-1.

Impact of regional and national milk allergy in primary care guidelines and training program on recognition and treatment of cow's milk allergy

Background Cow’s milk allergy (CMA) is the commonest food allergy in UK children with many misleading presentations. In 2011, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) provided primary care guidelines on food allergy. In Northern Ireland (NI), a regional expert group was convened in 2012 to develop a CMA-focused guidance document, later published as Milk Allergy in Primary care (MAP) guideline, along with other infant feeding issues. MAP was designed for shortcomings of national and international guidelines in the initial clinical recognition and management of mild to moderate non-IgE-mediated disease in primary care.

Milk production of dairy cows as affected by the length of the preceding dry period

The objective of the study was to determine the effect of the duration of the dry period (DP) on the milk yield and milk composition during the following lactation. Milk performance records of 561 Holstein cows, with a previous DP from the Elsenburg Research Farm obtained from the National Milk Recording Scheme, were used in the study. Four groups of dairy cows were identified, based on the duration of their dry period, i.e. cows with a DP of less than 60 days, DP of 61 to 90 days, DP of 91 to 120 days and DP of more than 121 days. The number of records for each group was 76, 162, 83 and 240 lactations, respectively. An ANOVA was conducted using the Generalized Linear Model of SAS to compare milk yield and milk composition according to the DP length. Almost 43% of cows had a DP longer than 121 days, while less than 14% of cows had a DP of less than 60 days. The milk yield was positively affected by DP length. Cows with a DP of less than 60 days produced less milk than cows with longer (more than 61 days) dry periods, e.g. 6462 ± 321 vs. 7393 ± 99 kg. Results were similar for cows in their second and fourth parity. In addition, the milk composition of cows was also affected by DP length, i.e. higher fat and protein levels in the milk from cows with a short DP. Cows in the third lactation with a DP above 121 days produced more milk than the other DP groups. However, the milk composition of cows in the third lactation was not affected by DP length. A DP of less than 60 days reduced milk yield, while an extended DP of more than 121 days would be costly for the dairy farmer even though milk yield was higher. A long dry period may also result due to an excess body condition and calving complications during the subsequent lactation.Keywords: Dry period, milk yield, milk composition, dairy cows

Performance of small-scale dairy farms in the highlands of central Mexico during the dry season under traditional feeding strategies.

In Mexico, small-scale dairy systems (SSDS) represent over 78% of dairy farms and contribute with 37% of national milk production; however, they face high feeding costs. The objective of this study was to assess the performance of SSDS during the dry season in terms of milk yields, milk composition and feeding costs under traditional feeding strategies, to identify areas of opportunity for improving their profitability. The information was collected from 22 SSDS every month during dry season. Feeds were classified in quality forages (QF), supplements (SU) and straws (ST). Two factors were identified: factor 1-a positive relationship among QF, SU, milk yield and ration cost and factor 2-represented straw usage. Four feeding strategies were identified: (1) low-cost feeding strategy; (2) home-grown feeding strategy; (3) high-cost feeding strategy; and (4) straw-based feeding strategy. There were differences (P < 0.001) among feeding strategies for QF, SU, ST, total dry matter offered (TDMO), ration cost (RC), external inputs, home-grown inputs and milk yield. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences among feeding strategies for fat and protein contents in milk. It is concluded that to improve performance and profitability and enhance sustainability in SSDS, farmers should base feeding strategies on home-grown quality forages, as it was the case in group 2 which showed lower feeding cost and better milk yield. It is also recommended to increase the inclusion of quality forages like grazing pastures and maize silages during the dry season and to avoid the inclusion of straws.

Occurrence of flunixin residues in bovine milk samples from the United States

Flunixin (FLU) is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) approved in the United States for use in beef and dairy cattle for modulation of inflammation in endotoxemia and for the control of pyrexia associated with bovine respiratory disease and acute bovine mastitis. FLU is labeled for intravenous administration at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg every 24 hours or 0.5 mg/lb (1.1 mg/kg) every 12 hours for up to 3 days. The slaughter withdrawal time is 4 days following the last injection and the milk withdrawal time is 36 hours. Since 2005, the United States Department of Agriculture-Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has reported an increasing number of residue violations in meat from dairy cattle (USDA-FSIS, 2005-2010). This increase in the number of FLU residue violations has led to FLU becoming the second most common residue violation behind penicillin in cull dairy cattle (USDA-FSIS). In milk the marker residue is a metabolite of FLU, called 5-hydroxy flunixin (50H) and the tolerance for 50H in milk is 2 ppb. Milk samples in the United States are not routinely tested for 50H (National Milk Drug Residue Data Base Fiscal Year 2011 Annual Report). However, due to the significant number of FLU tissue residues violations found in cull dairy cows, there is concern that the same practices which have led to tissue residues may also lead to drug residues in milk.

Breakeven prices for recording of indicator traits to reduce the environmental impact of milk production.

A breeding scheme using genomic selection and an indicator trait for environmental impact (EI) was studied to find the most effective recording strategy in terms of annual monetary genetic gain and breakeven price for the recording of indicator traits. The breakeven price shows the investment space for developing a recording system for an indicator trait. The breeding goal consisted of three traits – milk production, functional trait and environmental impact – with economic values of €83, €82 and €-83, respectively. The first scenario included only breeding goal traits and no indicator traits (NoIT). The other scenarios included all three breeding goal traits and one indicator trait (IT) for EI. The indicator traits were recorded on a large scale (stayability after first lactation and stature), medium scale (live weight and greenhouse gases (GHG) measured in the breath of the cow during milking) or small scale (residual feed intake and total enteric methane measured in a respiration chamber). In the scenario with stayability, the genetic gain in EI was over 11% higher than it was in NoIT. The breakeven price of recording stayability was €8 per record. Stayability is easy to record in the national milk recording system, and its use as an indicator trait for EI would not generate any additional recording costs. Therefore, stayability would be a good indicator trait to use to mitigate EI. The highest genetic gain in EI (23% higher compared to NoIT) was achieved when the GHG measured in the breath of the cow was used as indicator trait. The breakeven price for this indicator trait was €29 per record in the reference population. Ideally the recording of a specific indicator trait for EI would take place when: (i) the genetic correlation between the IT and EI is high; and (ii) the number of phenotypic records for the indicator trait is high enough to achieve a moderately high reliability of direct genomic values.

The economic value of somatic cell count in South African Holstein and Jersey cattle

Somatic cell count (SCC) is of economic importance in dairy production as it directly influences the revenue from the sale of milk. The current study was carried out to determine the economic value of SCC in South African Holstein and Jersey cattle, in order to establish its relative emphasis in breeding objectives. Bulk-tank SCC was calculated from individual cow test-day SCC for 183 Jersey and 209 Holstein herds that participated in the national milk recording scheme in 2012. SCC premium schemes of the two major milk buyers in the country were used, and herds belonged to either a concentrate-fed or pasture-based production system. The economic value of SCC was determined as the simulated change in profit per cow per year, following a 1% increase in individual bulk-tank SCC. Estimated breeding values (EBVs) are based on log10 transformed SCC (somatic cell score, SCS); therefore the final economic value was expressed in South African rand (ZAR) per SCS. Relative economic values, standardized to the value of protein, were used to compare the relative importance of SCS with other objective traits. An increase in SCS by one unit resulted in decreases in profit ranging from ZAR 491.48 to ZAR 1795.57 per cow per year, depending on the breed, production system and payment system. Economic value was nearly double in the Holstein compared with the Jersey, as well as in the concentrate-fed system relative to the pasture-based system. SCS was among the most important traits in the breeding objective, its value ranging from 26% to 118% compared with the most important trait, protein. High relative emphasis should therefore be placed on SCS in breeding objectives for Holstein and Jersey cattle in South Africa. Keywords : Relative economic value; somatic cell score; breeding objectives

Perceptions of climate variability and dairy farmer adaptations in Corangamite Shire, Victoria, Australia

Purpose – The article surveys dairy farmers' lay knowledge of climate change and the adaptation strategies they have implemented to respond to climatic and economic drivers. Dairy farming is highly dependent on local weather and climate. The case study is in Western Victoria, Australia, part of a major dairy farming region that contributes 26 per cent of national milk production and 86 per cent of the country's dairy exports. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This study utilised a survey and semi-structured interviews in Corangamite Shire, to document dairy farmers' perceptions of climate variability and the adaptation strategies they have implemented, compared to meteorological data collected on climate variability in the recent past. Findings – Farmers in this region perceive a change in rainfall and temperature broadly in line with meteorological records. Those that have experienced a greater degree of climate variability in drier regions were found to perceive it mo...

Microbiological Quality of Milk in Tanzania: From Maasai Stable to African Consumer Table

In Tanzania, pastoralists such as the Maasai and small urban farmers are responsible for the country's milk production, and 95% of the national milk supply is sold without regulation. This study was conducted using hygiene checklists and milk sampling to investigate milk quality and safety at various steps throughout the milk production chain. In regions of Dar es Salaam and Lake Victoria, 196 milk samples were collected: 109 samples of raw milk, 41 samples of packed or open served heat-treated products, and 46 samples of fermented products. Samples were taken from (i) the production level (pastoralists and urban farmers), (ii) the collection level (middlemen and depots), (iii) processors (dairies), and (iv) retailers (kiosks). Samples were analyzed for hygiene criteria (total bacteria, total coliforms, Escherichia coli, and coagulase-positive staphylococci) and foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella, enterohemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes. Adequate heating of milk for drinking was determined via heat labile alkaline phosphatase and lactoperoxidase analysis. Total bacterial counts indicated that only 67% (73 of 109) of raw milk samples and 46% (19 of 41) of heat-treated samples met national Tanzanian standards. Bulk milk samples taken from the traditional milking vessels of Maasai pastoralists had the lowest total bacterial counts: ≥ 1 × 10(2) CFU/ml. Foodborne pathogens such as E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella were isolated from 10.1% (11 of 109) of raw milk samples but were not detected in heat-treated or fermented products, and 83% of heat-treated milk samples were lactoperoxidase negative, indicating overpasteurization. Coliforms were detected in 41% (17 of 41) of processed milk samples, thus indicating a high rate of recontamination. A progressive decrease in microbial quality along the milk production chain was attributed to departures from traditional methods, inadequate milk containers, long transport distances, lack of cooling, and lack of a basic understanding of hygiene.

The Cooperative Yardstick Revisited: Panel Evidence from the European Dairy Sectors

Abstract Milk is an important agricultural product that has traditionally been processed by cooperatives. Across member states of the EU-27, however, large variation exists between the national market shares of cooperatives in dairy processing. Theoretical models suggest that a strong cooperative sector secures competitive regional prices for agricultural produce. Empirical studies which seek to quantify these effects are rare though. We use panel data to study the impact of cooperative strength – measured by market shares – on national farm gate milk prices in the EU-27 for the period from 2000 to 2010. Our results reveal a positive effect of cooperative market share on price that is relatively large and robust over different specifications of the econometric model. We conclude that dairy cooperatives have a pro-competitive effect and that exemptions for cooperatives from anti-trust regulation may be justified.

The relationship between fertility and lactation characteristics in Holstein cows on United Kingdom commercial dairy farms

Higher milk production is commonly associated with poorer fertility in dairy cows. This study used a biological model of lactation to define more closely which characteristics of lactation were linked to increased calving interval, an easily recorded measure of fertility in commercial dairy herds. Large data sets from a national milk recording scheme in the United Kingdom, collected over a 10-yr period, were used to calculate the genetic and phenotypic correlations between calving interval and a range of lactation traits within the Holstein breed. A lactation curve was fitted to each lactation, and several characteristics of each lactation were calculated. These were used in a series of mixed-model bivariate analyses with calving interval to derive the genetic parameters. When heifer lactation curve trait data were used, the highest genetic correlations were found with peak yield, maximum secretion potential, and total lactation milk yield (0.59±0.06 to 0.63±0.05), reflecting the observed phenomenon of poorer fertility and higher milk production. Genetic correlations for calving interval were also calculated with the rate of increase in milk yield in early lactation (0.46±0.08), persistency (0.36±0.09), day of peak yield (0.20±0.02), and relative cell death rate (−0.12±0.09). The daily production of milk components was highly genetically correlated with calving interval, with values for fat, protein, lactose, and water being 0.73±0.15, 0.48±0.13, 0.57±0.13, and 0.50±0.13. With these results and breeding values derived from these analyses, 2 possible strategies were suggested for improving the relationship between milk yield and fertility in dairy cows. First, animals that break the correlations described above could be selected (e.g., bulls with high peak yield and low calving intervals). Second, animals with lower peak yields but better persistency could be selected to maintain total milk yield.

PENGEMBANGAN PETERNAKAN SUSU NASIONAL MELALUI KELEMBAGAAN EKONOMI BARU

The aim of this paper is to analyze the dairy farmers problems who have to face the gap between demand and supply milk issues. Demand for milk commodities increased significant year by year, but the national milk production can not supply the milk processing industry needs. Local fresh milk production only supply 25% of the raw material for the milk processing industry. The New Institutionalism in Economic and Sociology model regards a mechanisms for the integration of formal and informal relationships at every level causal, like at the micro level (individual), meso (group or organization) and the macro level in the form of environmental policy (policy environment) which affect the system development and agribusiness. This study aims to generate the government policy which should be able to increase the bargaining power of dairy farmers in development their agribusiness through the strengthening of economic and social capital to create competitive dairy farmers.Keywords: Milk farmers, New Institutional Economics, New Institutionalism in Economic and Sociology, Public Policy

Environmental factors influencing milk urea nitrogen in South African Holstein cattle

By knowing the milk urea nitrogen (MUN) content of dairy cows, the efficiency of dietary nitrogen utilization can be improved. The main objectives of this study were to identify and quantify environmental factors affecting MUN in South African Holstein cows. This will enable better interpretation of MUN results by accounting for such factors. A total of 82 900 test-day records of 9 901 Holstein cows from 40 herds participating in the South African National Milk Recording and Improvement Scheme (NMRIS) during the period 2007 to 2010 were used. An analysis of variance was performed to determine environmental factors significantly affecting MUN. Significant factors were herd-test-day, year of calving, parity, number of times milked per day and lactation stage. Herd-test-day had the largest effect, accounting for 48.3% of the total variation. Trends in least squares (LS) means for MUN over lactation stages were similar for all parities; however, means were slightly lower in parity 3 than the first two parities. The LS mean for 2008 was the lowest (13.9 mg/dL) in comparison to other years. Cows milked twice daily had a higher MUN LS mean (15.5 mg/dL) in comparison to those milked three times per day (13.4 mg/dL). Results of this study provided the basis for proper use and better interpretation of MUN data.Keywords: Milk urea nitrogen, environmental factors, dairy herd management

Correlated response in longevity from direct selection for production in the South African Jersey breed

The length of productive life is of major economic importance in dairy cattle production. Simple breeding objectives such as selection for increased production in dairy cattle have led to a significant decline in fitness traits. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether direct selection for production resulted in an undesirable genetic response in longevity in the South African Jersey breed. Longevity was defined as survival in the first three lactations from first calving to culling or death, adjusted for the effect of milk yield. An observation for survival per lactation was denoted by 1 (survived) or 0 (culled) otherwise. Performance and pedigree records on purebred South African Jersey cows that participated in the National Milk Recording and Improvement Scheme were considered. A multiple-trait linear animal model was used to estimate breeding values. A complete (co)variance structure for the additive genetic and residual effects for the three traits were used. Heritabilities used in the current study were 0.034, 0.022 and 0.026 for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd lactations, respectively. Reliabilities were approximated using the effective number of daughters. The estimated breeding values for sires ranged from 79 to 114. The rate of genetic progress per year for the period 1985 to 2002 was statistically non-significant (b = 0.02 ± 0.05 per year). Results from the current study indicate that direct selection for production did not result in an undesirable correlated genetic response in longevity.

Comparing effects of freezing at -196 °C and -20 °C on the viability of mastitis pathogens

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of cryopreservation at approximately -196 °C in liquid nitrogen (N) and freezing at approximately -20 °C in a freezer, on the viability and survival of eight different mastitogenic bacteria inoculated in milk. Bacteria were frozen at approximately -20 °C in a freezer and cryopreserved at approximately -196 °C in liquid nitrogen. An effective preservation method was needed for follow-up samples from cows identified in the South African National Milk Recording Scheme (NMRS) with somatic cell counts above 250 000 cells/mL milk. The organisation responsible for sample collection of the NMRS milk samples also provides producers with liquid nitrogen for their semen flasks at the collection sites. This existing mode of storage and transport could therefore be utilised.Ten samples of each organism were thawed and cultured bi-weekly until week 18 for both temperature treatments. An additional sampling was performed at week 30 for samples frozen at approximately -20 °C. Freezing and cryopreservation did not impair subsequent isolation of Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus (STH) (phage type lytic group III) or Sta. aureus (STA) (phage typed, other than lytic group III). Survival was indicated by the isolation of bacteria from samples, and viability by the strength of growth of the bacteria isolated. The survival of Streptococcus agalactiae decreased after week 12 and Escherichia coli after week 16 of freezing, but both organisms survived under cryogenic preservation until week 18. Coagulase-negative staphylococci survived until week 18 for both freezing and cryogenic preservation.Both storage methods could thus contribute to the improvement of a pro-active approach towards udder health management in South African dairy herds.

Market Integration in Wholesale Milk Markets in India

The wholesale milk markets in India are correlated with varying degrees of integration. The wholesale milk markets of Delhi, Kanpur and Chennai hold weakly exogenous relationship. This has a strong policy implication. These markets offer more stable and relatively less risky milk markets to the milk producers and also help in mitigating risks of other volatile milk markets by providing hedge against the price risk. These markets, therefore, are extremely important for the Indian milk producers as these markets provide them cushion against external shocks and adversaries of price volatility. However, a word of caution is essential. Though these markets seem to be integrating in long run, under present circumstances they are sending less price signals to other markets. It implicates that they will not be able to influence each others prices and to some extent behave independently in short run. This may obtuse the progress and pace of many national level milk market policies. Therefore, in short-run a macro policy may not yield desirable and uniform results in the country. The milk markets of Kolkata and Mumbai are critical to sustaining long-run equilibrium or to correct disequilibrium due to any exogenous shocks. These two markets has strong bearings on the milk prices of other three markets viz, Delhi, Kanpur and Chennai. The speeds of error correction for Kolkata and Mumbai markets are also relatively faster than that of other markets. Thus the milk markets of Kolkata and Mumbai would be able to reinstate the long-run equilibrium more quickly if appropriate error correction measures are taken therein.

Benchmarking and setting intervention targets for key cell count parameters

Herd Companion uses routine milk-recording records to generate twelve-month rolling averages that indicate performance trends. This article looks at Herd Somatic Cell Count (SCC) and four other SCC-related parameters from 252 National Milk Records (NMR) recorded herds to assess how each parameter correlates with the Herd SCC. The analysis provides evidence for the importance of targeting individual cows with high SCC recordings (>200,000 cells/ml and >500,000 cells/ml) and/or individual cows with repeatedly high SCC recordings (chronic high SCC) and/or cows that begin lactation with a high SCC recording (dry period infection) in order to achieve bulk milk Herd SCC below 200,000 cells/ml.

The Relevance Of A Rules-Based Freshmilk Price Structure Policy In East Java : An Evidence Based Assesment

At present, Indonesia is still lack of fresh milk supply, domestic fresh milk production is covered only 30% national fresh milk processing industry needed and is about 70% milk industry material should be imported, mainly from New Zealand, Australia, EU and USA. The following actors are active in the formal dairy supply chain in Indonesia: (1) Milk producers, (2) The primary dairy/ village cooperatives (KUD), (3) The overall dairy cooperative (GKSI), (4) The milk processors/ dairy industry, (5) Based on that situation, and to improve the development of small scale dairy farming activities in east java, this paper have an objective to examine the relevance of a rules-based fresh milk price structure policy in east java. East java dairy supply chain inefficiencies are reflected in a relatively large difference between farm gate milk price and consumer prices of milk products. Factors like the dependency on imported milk powder and the strongly fluctuating world market prices, the lack of protection against world market fluctuations for the local milk producers, the scale and structure of dairy farming, and poor raw milk quality affect the development of east java dairy supply chain.

Identification of phenotypically and genotypically related Lactobacillus strains based on nucleotide sequence analysis of the groEL, rpoB, rplB, and 16S rRNA genes

Sixty-eight cultures of lactic acid bacteria were isolated and identified from national fermented milk drinks (airan, koumiss, kurunga, shubat) home-made in different regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Buryat Republic of Russia. The cultures of lactic acid bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus were identified as L. paracasei and L. rhamnosus related to the L. casei group and as L. brevis, L. buchneri, L. diolivorans, and L. parabuchneri (the L. buchneri group) using the classical microbiological methods and on the basis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The polymorphism of the nucleotide sequences of the genes groEL, rpoB, and rplB encoding specific proteins was studied for intraspecific differentiation of the lactobacilli. The analysis of these genes allowed a more accurate identification of the lactobacilli that are genetically and phenotypically related to the L. casei group as L. paracasei subsp. paracasei and L. paracasei subsp. tolerans. The gene nucleotide sequences of all the genotyped strains were deposited in the GenBank database.