Bulk milk quality as affected by cattle breed composition of the herd in mountain area

Abstract The aim of this study was to investigate the variation gross composition, somatic cell count, urea content, and fatty acids (FA) composition bulk milk from single-breed multi-breed farms in alpine area, keeping either Brown Swiss (BS), Holstein Friesian (HF), Simmental (SI), or their combinations. Gross FA were predicted using mid-infrared spectroscopy. Observations grouped 7 combinations consisting 3 singlebreed 4 types herd. A mixed linear model used for data analysis, accounting fixed effects herd (7 combinations), month sampling, year interactions between sampling. Farm included as random effect. Results highlighted that about two thirds South Tyrolean herds with more than 20 lactating cows changed structure over time, switching multi- single-breed. Single-breed BS produced greater fat, protein, casein, lactose, content HF SI farms. Further, including polyunsaturated HF+SI herds. Overall, lower count other Despite number Tyrol has decreased favor last years, breed is still most interesting dairy farming achieve optimal quality both single- scenarios. tendency move mainly related good performance coupled robustness, high carcass value, market value calves, adaptability mountain system.