The quality of milk intended for human consumption directly
depends on maintaining the metabolic balance of cows. In high-yielding cows,
the physiological and metabolic demands of pregnancy and lactation necessitate
a specialised approach to nutrition and health management to maintain
equilibrium between the animal’s nutritional needs and production capacity.
This chapter presents an expanded analysis of the quality of milk from
Simmental cows during the peripartal period, focusing on key biochemical parameters
(proteins, fats, lactose, and urea) and their relationship with the cows'
energy status.
Special emphasis was placed on evaluating interactions among these
components to identify potential dietary imbalances, ensuring high nutritional
quality of milk for human consumption while preventing metabolic disorders and
reproductive issues in dairy cows.
In the production-reproduction cycle of dairy cows, the peripartal
period and early lactation are the most critical phases for maintaining optimal
health and physiological balance. During this transition, cows undergo
significant metabolic adaptations and endocrine adjustments to shift from late
gestation to peak lactation. This period is marked by a negative energy balance
(NEB) and increased risk of metabolic disorders such as ketosis, hypocalcemia,
and fatty liver syndrome, requiring careful management to ensure a successful
transition and sustained productivity.
The study, conducted on 46 Simmental cows in early lactation,
involved a detailed analysis of fat, protein, and urea concentrations using
enzymatic and spectrometric methods. The fat, protein, lactose, and dry matter
content were analysed using the Milkoscan device (series 130, type 10900, A/S,
N.FOSS ELECTRIC) in the Eko-Lab D.O.O. laboratory in Belgrade. The
concentration of urea in milk was determined using an enzymatic kinetic method
with the VETSCREEN analyser at the Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine in Belgrade. The findings confirm that the energy status of
high-yielding dairy cows significantly influences production performance,
reproductive efficiency, and overall health.
The study was conducted during July and August 2023 on ten farms
in the municipality of Blace, involving a total of 46 Simmental cows in the
early lactation phase (first 60 days). The cows were at various lactation
stages, ranging from the first to the sixth, with an average daily milk yield
of 22.5 litres.
This extended discussion highlights the practical value of
monitoring biochemical milk parameters such as urea, total proteins, and fats
as an effective diagnostic tool for assessing nutritional and metabolic status.
Positive correlations between these components underscore the importance of
balanced feeding strategies in optimizing milk quality and animal welfare.
Additionally, this chapter integrates recent perspectives on
metabolic health management in dairy farming, offering an economical and
scalable diagnostic approach suitable for farms of all sizes.
Author(s) Details
Goran
Stojanović
Department of Agriculture and Food Technology Studies, Toplica
Academy of Applied Studies, 1 Ćirila i Metodija St, 18400 Prokuplje, Republic
of Serbia.
Please
see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/rpbs/v6/5920
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