The Rural Voice, 1990-12, Page 63ADVICE
NUTRITION AND
MILK FLAVOURS
Off -flavours in milk can be detected
either when the milk leaves the cow or
24 to 48 hours later. In both cases a
severe off -flavour problem can cause
costly load refusals.
By knowing how flavours enter
milk, control can become much easier.
Generally, five factors may be involved.
1. The presence of flavouring sub-
stances that have been eaten or inhaled.
2. A disturbance of the cow's health
(eg. mastitis, metabolic disorders).
3. Improper handling of the milk
(excessive agitation or aeration).
4. Improper sanitation and cooling
causing bacterial contamination.
5. Genetic pre -disposition (this has
been demonstrated in dairy goats).
In a situation where off -flavours
have been linked to nutrition, the fol-
lowing checklist should be considered.
• Is the feed program balanced?
Since nutrient deficiencies (Vitamin E)
or excesses (copper) increase the inci-
dence of off -flavours in milk. Having
your ration balanced whenever a feed is
changed makes good sense.
• Are dry feeds or strongly flavoured
feeds high in volatiles (eg. legumes) fed
three to five hours before milking?
Feeding these immediately after milk-
ing may help, but be warned that some
flavours will persist for as long as 12
hours.
• Are the feed bunks and mangers
swept regularly? Spoiled feed can emit
odours that may result in off -flavours.
• Do you have depressed milk -fat
tests? Is the grain portion too much
(more than 60 per cent total ration dry
matter) or fed in large quantities at one
time? Are fibre levels adequate? Cows
with lower milk -fat content have a more
fragile fat globule which is susceptible
to fracturing during agitation. Once the
lipid membrane of the globule is broken,
a naturally occurring milk enzyme, li-
pase, is released. Lipase initiates a chain
of events which results in off -flavours.
• Are alfatoxins present? Some re-
search indicates that alfatoxins, particu-
larly alfatoxin B1, can cause off -fla-
vours in goat milk.0
Annette Moore
Dairy Specialist
FARMERS
Income
Protection
519-363-3622
Gerald Leudke
519-363-3369
Jim Maus
519-366-9916
MANUFACTURERS
LIFE INSURANCE
4lenufacturen
May the holiday fill your home
with happiness, good times,
and good friends.
gp PROGRESSIVE
FARMING
R.R. 2, Wellesley
k 519-656-2709
Rannoch
519-229-6700)
Patz
M -98B
M -RD -820
•
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The full unloader line ... .
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SPRUCEDALE AGROMART
At this holiday season, it is time to say Thank You and to
express to our customers, old and new, hest wishes for a
Merry Christmas season and a successful New Year
— from the management and staff at Sprucedale Agromart.
HANOVER TARA
519-364-4070 519-934-2340
DECEMBER 1990 5D