Effects of Feeding Time, Breed, Parity, Stage of Lactation and Milking Methods on Somatic Cell Count and Milk Constituents in Dairy Cows

Abstract

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of feeding time, parity, stages of lactation, milking methods, and
breed on milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC) with the main objective of understanding how these
factors influence the nutritional properties and udder health of dairy cow.
Methods: Twenty (Holstein Frisian, Jersey and Lulu) subclinical mastitis-free crossbred cows were used for a
180-day study on different feeding strategies (pre-milking, during milking, and post-milking feeding at varying
intervals). The animals were categorized into three groups, each based on their parity (early, mid and late)
and stages of lactation (early, mid and late), then their effect on different parameters were examined. The milk
composition and SCC was analyzed (by transforming them at log10 base) fortnightly. The effect of feeding time,
parity, stages of lactation, breed and milking methods on SCC and milk composition were worked out for ANOVA
by General Linear Model (univariate) using SPSS statistical packages (version 25).
Results: Results revealed that feeding time significantly affected milk composition, with pre-milking feeding
yielding in higher milk fat, while post-milking feeding strategies led to lower SCC. Parity and stages of lactation
also showed notable effects on milk composition and SCC, with early parity and mid-lactation cows exhibiting
higher SCC. Additionally, milking methods and breed influenced milk composition, with higher protein and
lactose in machine milked cows, and Lulu producing milk with higher fat (numerical), protein and lactose.
Conclusions: Our research findings provided valued insights into the factors influencing milk quality and udder
health in dairy cows, which could be inferred for a better management practice aimed at optimizing quality milk
production.