Composition and properties of bovine milk: A study from dairy farms in northern Sweden; Part I. Effect of dairy farming system

This study was part of a larger project that aimed to understand the causes for increasing variation in cheese ripening cheese-producing region northern Sweden. The influence different on-farm factors on raw milk composition and properties investigated is described this paper, whereas monthly quality traits during 1 yr our companion paper. dairy farming systems total 42 farms were characterized through questionnaire farm visits. Milk from tanks sampled over analyzed attributes important making. On applying principal component analyses evaluate factors, types distinguished. Farms with loose housing automatic milking system (AMS) or parlor had higher number lactating cows, predominantly Swedish Holstein (SH) breed. associated tiestalls lower cows breeds other than SH. Applying tank samples revealed tendency formation 2 clusters: AMS parlor, tiestall milking. interaction between system, breed probably contributed grouping. Other used characterization only showed minor quality. Despite interaction, various cow concentrations (g/100 g milk) fat (4.74) protein (3.63), lactose (4.67) SH (4.32, 3.47, 4.74 g/100 milk, respectively) (4.47, 3.54, 4.79 respectively). Higher somatic cell count (195 × 103/mL) free fatty acid concentration (0.75 mmol/100 fat) observed (150 103/mL 0.83 fat, Type influenced gel strength, showing lowest strength (65.0 Pa), but not longer rennet coagulation time. Effects (e.g., dominant breed, housing, herd size) indicate need further studies in-depth effects farm-related attributes.