Effects of animal selection on milk composition and processability

One goal of animal breeding is to increase the economic output through increased production, improved milk quality, and cow health. The objective of this study was to evaluate genetic progress in relation to milk composition, processability, and yield as a correlated response to selection for the Swedish breeding objective. Dairy cows with high genetic merit, classified as elite dairy cows, of the Swedish Red and Swedish Holstein breeds were used. Milk samples were collected on the farm level in winter and summer from a research herd at Nötcenter Viken, a bovine research farm in Sweden. Comparisons were made with milk from a Swedish Red herd, a Swedish Holstein herd, and a Swedish dairy processor in the same geographical area. Protein, lipid, and carbohydrate profiles as well as minerals were analyzed, and technological properties, including rennet-induced gelation characteristics, lipid oxidation, total antioxidant capacity, and fat globule size, were determined. Higher yields were found for elite cows for components of the protein, lipid, and carbohydrate profiles as well as for minerals, implying genetic progress in relation to milk yield; however, the content of some milk components (e.g., lipid and whey protein contents) had decreased on average. Milk from the elite cows had good gelation characteristics, but was more susceptible to lipid autooxidation and had a lower total antioxidant capacity. These results demonstrate that milk composition and processing characteristics could be used to adjust breeding practices to optimize the quality and stability of milk and dairy products.