Intérêt de l'enregistrement de données phénotypiques fine sur la composition du lait

peer reviewedStandard cow milk analysis as used for performance recording or milk pricing has been restricted for decades to fat and protein. Some countries added solids not fat, true protein, urea and lactose and most somatic cell counts (ICAR, 2009). However milk produced by a cow at a given moment under given environmental circumstances (e.g., management, feeding, and climate) is in itself a highly valuable source of information on the status of the animal, the quality of the product (milk), and the interaction environment-animal-product. The aim of this paper is to give a general overview of the current status of research on the interest, the challenges for recording but also the possible use of new phenotypes obtained from milk composition both for genetic improvement and other purposes. The paper will focus on dairy cows; most conclusions can obviously be extended to other milk producing animal