Analysis of milk quality and composition in dairy cattle farms of different sizes

Object and tasks of work: The aim of this work was to estimate the effects of farm size to milk quality and composition. Totally ten farms during one year period were analyzed. Farms were divided into five groups according to number of cows per farm (less 50 cows, 50 – 100, 100 – 200, 200 – 400, more then 400 cows). The averages of fat, protein, lactose, urea, somatic cells, bacteria and the maximal values of freezing point were analyzed. Also, the composition and quality of milk was compared between pasture (from May to September) and cattle sheds (from October to April) periods. The results showed that averages of fat contains are significantly different (P 0,05) of lactose content averages was found out. Bacteria count and especially maximal freezing point had a tendency to lower then the farms size increased. Fat and protein contents in milk were significantly (P < 0,05) lower during the pasture period. The lactose compound was significantly higher in shed period only in large farms (having 100 and more cows). The averages of urea were significantly higher during the pasture period only in largest and middle sized (100 – 200 cows) farms. As for milk quality, there were no significant difference of bacteria count during pasture and shed periods. However, the count of somatic cells was significantly higher (P < 0,05) during pasture period in large farms (having 100 and more cows