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Evidence That Forage-Fed Cows Can Enhance Milk Quality

Author

Listed:
  • Hannah Davis

    (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

  • Eleni Chatzidimitriou

    (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
    French Agency for Food Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety, (ANSES), Regulated Products Assessment Department, Residues and Food Safety Unit, 94701 Maisons-Alfort Cedex, France)

  • Carlo Leifert

    (Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Melbourne NSW 2480, Australia)

  • Gillian Butler

    (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK)

Abstract

Researching the distinguishing factors of nutritional milk quality is key to sustainable production and addresses increasing media and scientific scrutiny regarding human health effects and ecological impacts of dairy products. Modern Western diets have high omega-6 relative to omega-3 fatty acid (FA) consumption. This ratio in milk can be manipulated by management practices; increasing forage in dairy diets raises omega-3 in milk. Whilst studies identify higher concentrations of nutritionally beneficial FAs in organic dairy, milk from 100% forage-fed cows in the UK has not been investigated. This study explores differences in FA composition between supermarket conventional and organic and Pasture for Life Association (PFLA) milk, collected in April, July and October, 2017. PFLA milk had higher concentrations of conjugated linoleic acid (+94%) and omega-3 (+92%) than conventional milk. Additionally, concentrations of palmitic acid (+11%), omega-6 (+69%) and the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (+201%) were higher in conventional than PFLA milk. PFLA milk had higher concentrations of alpha-linolenic acid (+39%), conjugated linoleic acid (+30%) and omega-3 (+21%) and lower concentrations of omega-6 (−36%) and a lower ratio of omega-6/omega-3 (−44%) than organic milk. This supports previous studies and demonstrates the scope to improve milk FA profiles further for potential health benefits through pasture-based management.

Suggested Citation

  • Hannah Davis & Eleni Chatzidimitriou & Carlo Leifert & Gillian Butler, 2020. "Evidence That Forage-Fed Cows Can Enhance Milk Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:9:p:3688-:d:353423
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Roxana Nicoleta Rațu & Petru Marian Cârlescu & Marius Giorgi Usturoi & Florin Daniel Lipșa & Ionuț Dumitru Veleșcu & Vlad Nicolae Arsenoaia & Andreea Mihaela Florea & Marius Mihai Ciobanu & Răzvan-Mih, 2023. "Effects of Dairy Cows Management Systems on the Physicochemical and Nutritional Quality of Milk and Yogurt, in a North-Eastern Romanian Farm," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Radisav Dubljević & Božidarka Marković & Dušica Radonjić & Danijela Stešević & Milan Marković, 2020. "Influence of Changes in Botanical Diversity and Quality of Wet Grasslands through Phenological Phases on Cow Milk Fatty Acid Composition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-13, August.
    3. Nikolaos Voutzourakis & Alexandros Stefanakis & Sokratis Stergiadis & Leonidas Rempelos & Nikolaos Tzanidakis & Mick Eyre & Gillian Butler & Carlo Leifert & Smaragda Sotiraki, 2021. "Effect of Intensification Practices, Lambing Period and Environmental Parameters on Animal Health, and Milk Yield and Quality in Dairy Sheep Production Systems on Crete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, August.
    4. Cecilia Loza & Hannah Davis & Carsten Malisch & Freidhelm Taube & Ralf Loges & Amelia Magistrali & Gillian Butler, 2023. "Milk Fatty Acids: The Impact of Grazing Diverse Pasture and the Potential to Predict Rumen-Derived Methane," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, January.

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