FACTORS AFFECTING

COMPOSTION
OF MILK

Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Paul

Faculty of veterinary Sciences,

Alusteng, Kashmir
 Milk differs widely in composition
 All milks contains the same kinds of
constituents but in varying amounts
 Milk from individual cows shows
greater variation than mixed herd
milk.
 The variation is always greater in small
herds than in larger ones
 In general, milk fat shows the greatest
daily variation , then comes protein
followed by ash and sugar
The factors affecting milk composition
may be either
Genetic or Environmental
Genetic
1. Species: Each sps. yields milk of a
characteristic composition
2. Breed: In general, breeds producing
more milk, yield milk of a lower fat
content and vice-versa
3. Individuality: Each cow tends to yield
milk of a composition that is
characteristic of that individual.
ENVIRONMENTAL
1. Interval of milking
• A longer interval is associated with
more milk with a lower fat content
 Morning-evening-interval
shorter -more variation in
fat.
 Evening-morning-interval
larger-lesser variation
 12-hour interval-equal-least
variation
 SNF not affected much
2. Completeness of milking
 Fore milk-low in fat
 Stripping-higher fat
 Complete milking-fat test
normal
 Incomplete milking-lower fat
test.
3. Frequency of milking
 No greater effect
4) Irregular milking:
 Frequent changes in time and interval
of milking-lower fat.
5) Day-to-day milking
 May show variations for the
individual cow
6) Disease and abnormal conditions
o Tends to alter the composition of milk
especially when they result in a fall in
yield.
o Both fat & SNF are reduced eg.
mastitis
7) Portion of milking
o Fore milk low in fat
o Stripping highest
o Other milk constituents only slightly
affected on fat free basis.
8) Stage of lactation
o First secretion after calving
( colostrums) - different from milk in
composition and general properties.
o Gradual change from colostrums to milk.
9) Yield:
o For an individual cow-there is a tendency
for increased yields to be accompanied with
lower fat test & vice-versa
10 Feeding:
o Underfeeding- lower SNF; lower fat
o Low energy diet- lower SNF
o Fat content and fat composition both
influenced by roughage (fiber) intake.
o Green pasture promotes high content of
USFA (Oleic)
o Concentrates such as sunflower ,linseed cake
give soft fat (more USFA)
o Coconut and palm oil cakes-hard fat
Effect of season on iodine value
(measure of oleic acid in fat)
Month Iodine value
January 27
February 27.2
March 27.5
April 28.0
May 29.0
June 35.0
July 38.0
August 38.5
September 39.0
October 35.0
November 31.0
December 28.0
11) Season
o Both fat & SNF show slight but well
defined variation during the course of
the year.
Effect of season on Iodine value
(Measure of Oleic Acid in fat)
12) Age
o Fat content declines with Age (@ ~
0.02 percentage units per lactation)
o The fall in SNF is more greater
13) Condition of cow at calving
o Good physical condition-fat/SNF
higher
o Poor physical condition – low fat/SNF
14) Excitement
o Transient fluctuations during periods of
excitement both in yield as well as
composition
15) Administration of drugs and
hormones
o Certain drugs elicit temporary change in
fat.
o Injection/feeding of hormones-increase
yield and fast content
16) Exercise:
o Moderate- no ill effects
o Extensive-adverse effects.