Fatty Acid Composition of Dairy Milk: A Case Study Comparing Once- and Twice-a-Day Milking of Pasture-Fed Cows at Different Stages of Lactation

In this case study, we compared the gross composition and fatty acid (FA) of milk from cows milked once a day (OAD) twice (TAD) at different stages lactation in real farm conditions with no control on feed. Seventy-two OAD milking herd 181 TAD were sampled early, mid late lactation. Calibration equations developed to enable prediction proportions individual FAs using mid-infrared (MIR) spectroscopy. Cows produced 25% lower daily yield (MY) TAD. Percentages fat protein 21% 9% higher TAD, respectively. The proportion saturated acids (SFA) (molecules unbranched hydrocarbon chains all single bonds) was significantly lower, while de novo synthesised C8:0 C14:0 higher, improved energy balance cows, which led long-chain (16:0 above). SFA (ML) early (EL) (LL) EL, C4:0 C12:0 due status OAD. Understanding will further studies characteristics butter hardness coagulation properties milk.