Evaluation of milk quality from dairy cows fed maize (Zea mays) stover treated with chopped and mineralized groundnut (Arachis hypogea) and soybean (Glycine max) stover

This study evaluated the effect of upgrading the quality of maize stover (MS) on milk nutritive value. The study involved feeding MS improved using urea (U), chopped groundnut stover (cGS), chopped soybean stover (cSS), mineralized groundnut stover solution (mGS) and mineralized soybean stover solution (mSS) to lactating dairy cows. The feeding trial involved twelve (12) dairy cows in their second parity. Effect of supplementation with MS improved with U, cGS, cSS, mGS and mSS on milk quality was evaluated following on-station feeding trials. The study involved 22 factorial experiments within a Completely Randomised Design (CRD). Milk samples were analysed for protein, lactose, fat and solid not fat (SNF). Mean milk protein levels ranged from 3.52mg/ml to 3,73mg/ml (s.e=0.03) for milk from cows fed on MS improved using cGS and mGS respectively. Protein and Lactose were observed to be the least variable (3.64g/ml ±0.12, and 5.24g ±0.24 respectively). Average milk fat content was highest (4.78%, se=0.52) in milk from cows fed on UET treated MS and lowest (3.43%, se=0.52) in milk from cows fed on gGS protein based MS. Within legume type milk fat was higher(4.75%±1.99) in milk from cows fed on MS blended with mGS than that in milk from cows fed on MS improved with cGS (3.43%±1.99). Similar result was observed in milk fat from cows fed on MS improved with the use of soybean. Lactose in milk from cows fed on UET treated MS was highest (5.51g, se=0.061) and lowest (5.10g, se=0.061) in milk from cows fed on MS blended with cGS. Milk from cows fed on MS improved with mGS was higher (9.61p/cwt, se=0.14) in SNF and lowest (8.88p/cwt, se=0.14) in milk from cows fed on MS with cGS. The milk density values ranged from 32.65sg, se=0.53 for milk from cows fed on UET treated MS to 30.42sg, se=0.053 for milk from cows fed on MS blended with cGS. Milk components were higher when cows were fed on MS improved using mineralized legume stover solutions.

Automatic Milking Systems in the Production of Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese: Effects on the Milk Quality and on Cheese Characteristics

The adoption of innovative processes, such as the automatic milking system (AMS), in the production of typical PDO cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, needs to be evaluated and tested, to verify its influence on milk quality and the typicality of the product. The present research was aimed to study the effect of the introduction of the AMS on the cheesemaking characteristics of the milk and the ripening process and the sensory properties of the Parmigiano Reggiano PDO cheese. Six cheesemaking trials were performed and, in each trial, two different separated pools of milk were submitted to the cheesemaking process in parallel, one from AMS and the other from a traditional milking parlor (TMP). AMS milk, in comparison with TMP one, showed higher content of lactose and calcium and lower contents of somatic cells, thermophilic lactic acid bacteria and chloride. Nevertheless, these changes were too small to influence the efficiency of the cheesemaking process and the cheese composition and its sensory profile. Moreover, cheeses made with AMS milk fully complied with the sensory characteristics of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese PDO, as defined by the PDO rules.

The effect of fed on feeding combination of the ark with ammonized citronella grass waste to the quality of lactated etawah crossbreed goat milk

This study aims to determine the effect of giving a combination of the ark with ammoniated citronella grass waste on the levels of protein, fat, lactose and density of lactated Etawah crossbreed goat milk. The design used in this study was a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of 5 treatments and 3 groups. The treatment consisted of P1 (0% ark: 8% ammoniated citronella grass waste), P2 (2% ark: 6% ammoniated citronella grass waste), P3 4% ark: 4% ammoniated citronella grass waste), P4 (6% ark: 2% citronella ammonia grass waste) and P5 (8% ark: 0% ammoniated citronella grass waste). The data obtained were analysed statistically using Microsoft Excel software. Based on the results of the research, giving the combination of the ark with ammoniated citronella grass waste shows no significant effect (P> 0.05) on the quality of milk which includes density, lactose level, protein level and fat level in Etawah crossbreed goat (PE) milk. However, the quality test results showed an increasing trend when compared with the quality of PE goat’s milk without treatment The results of the data for each of the PE goat’s milk quality before given the feed treatment were 1.027; 3.34%; 3.42% and 6.40% for the density, lactose level, protein level and fat level. Meanwhile the results of the data for each of the PE goat milk quality after given the feed treatment got the best results, namely 1.030; 3.66%; 3.78% and 6.55% for the density, lactose level, protein level and fat level.

Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) detection to differentiate morning and afternoon milk based on nutrient contents and fatty acid profiles

Milking time is one of the factors that affect milk quality. The objective of this study was to differentiate morning milk from afternoon based on milk fatty acid profile and create a prediction model using Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS). This study used explorative research and post-observation analysis. Milk sampling was collected from three different dairy farm locations in West Java Provinces (Pangalengan district of Bandung Regency, Cibungbulang District of Bogor Regency, and Tanah Sareal District of Bogor Municipality). Milk quality observed in this study included milk fat, protein, lactose, solid non-fat (SNF), and fatty acid compositions. Milk fat, protein, lactose, and SNF were analyzed using Lactoscan. Fatty acid compositions were identified using gas chromatography (GC). Sample spectrums were collected using NIRSflex 500. The difference between morning and afternoon milking was tested using a t-test carried out by SPSS ver. 25. Qualitative calibration of milk quality was conducted using NIRSCal v5.6 by applying the cluster (CLU) method. The results from lactoscan and GC showed that milk fat, caprylic acid, and myristoleic acid, and total SFA were significantly different (Sig. (2-tailed) < 0.05) in morning and afternoon milk. However, NIRS failed to generate a sophisticated model for the milk quality differentiation, which shows a low Q-value (0.0011231). The quantitative analysis accurately produced milk fat and total SFA predictions but failed to accurately predict caprylic acid and myristoleic acid. This study concluded that morning milk could be differentiated from afternoon milk based on milk fat, caprylic acid, myristoleic acid, and total SFA content. The NIRS technology can differentiate between morning and afternoon milk based on quantitative calibration of total fat and SFA.

Milking Hygiene and Handling Practices among Smallholder Dairy Farmers in Zanzibar

The livestock farming especially dairy industry is among the important components of the livestock sector in Zanzibar in terms source of animal protein, income, and employment. The present study was meant to investigate milking hygiene and handling practices among smallholder dairy farmers in Zanzibar. Cross-sectional study was conducted whereby a structured questionnaire was addressed to 359 dairy cattle farmers. The assessment of milking hygiene and handling practices among smallholder dairy farmers on were analyzed and then judged based on the selected indicators of good dairy farming practices of FAO and International Dairy Federation (IDF) and IDF, (FAO, 2011) and Zanzibar Food and Drug Board standard. The results revealed low milking hygiene and good handling practices. In addition, based on the Zanzibar Food and Drug Board’ standards, farmers comply lowly with milk quality standards and food safety regulations. It was also found that farmers, traders and processors practised milking hygiene and handling measures like hand washing, udder and utensils cleaning milking boiling and packaging. However, key un-hygiene practices include the use of plastic containers, untreated water, and lack of teat dipping. It is recommended that, for safe and quality milk availability, farmers must be equipped with knowledge and skills on good milking hygiene and handling practices. There is a need to improve farmers’ knowledge and implement hygienic milking practices in the milk production process to meet required milk quality and food safety standards. In addition, awareness creation on the importance of good milking and handling practices will create behavioural change and lead to an improvement in milk quality in Zanzibar.