Multispecies pasture diet and cow breed impact the functional lipid profile of milk across lactation in a spring calving dairy system.

This study compared the impact of 2 pasture-based feeding systems, namely a traditional perennial ryegrass (PRG) diet, and a recently introduced, more sustainable multispecies swards (MSS) diet, on the functional lipid profile of raw milk. In addition to the 2 pasture diets, the study uniquely examined the combined effects of breed, namely Holstein-Friesian (HF) or Jersey Holstein-Friesian (JFX), and lactation stage in Ireland, spanning from March to November. Bulk milk samples (n = 144 yearly) for the 4 groups examined were collected for 4 weeks per each of the 9 mo specified.

Effects of multispecies pasture diet and cow breed on milk composition and quality in a seasonal spring-calving dairy production system.

In recent years, significant emphasis has been placed on the composition of pasture-based cow feed and the potential benefits of incorporating multispecies swards to improve sustainability and biodiversity. This study compared the effects of a conventional perennial ryegrass (PRG) monoculture supported by high-chemical N usage with a low-chemical-N application multispecies sward system (MSS) on the composition and quality of milk across lactation using spring-calving Holstein-Friesian (HF) and Jersey Holstein-Friesian (JFX) cows. Bulk milk samples (n = 144) were collected from each group at morning and evening milking on a weekly basis (n = 36) throughout lactation and analyzed for gross composition and physicochemical properties.