Milkfat - Articles

Elevated free fatty acids in milk impair quality

Dairy producers can manage individual cows, ration quality, milking frequency and milk filter changes to reduce levels of free fatty acids in milk.

September 19, 2024

Hannah Woodhouse

Producers are encouraged to monitor their test results and assess their farm’s free fatty acid risk factors. A discussion with their nutritionist, veterinarian and/or field service representative can also be helpful to target any free fatty acid concerns.

In Focus: National DHI test-day somatic cell count averages 181,000

May 16, 2024

Audrey Schmitz

U.S. milk producers again saw a decrease in average somatic cell counts (SCC) based on an annual summary of Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) test-day results.

Butterfat 101: There’s more to it than nutrition

Several key nutrients to optimize maximum butterfat production and how your attitude can drive it.

April 3, 2024

Robert Krammes

All we have to do is balance the ration to maximize fat, right? Regarding the number of variables involved in ration formulation, few diets are ever truly balanced. Consider the word “optimized” instead. Let’s look at several key nutrients that must be optimized for maximum butterfat production.

The blooming onion of milkfat: Understanding the layers

The two pathways for fatty acids to be transformed into milkfat are either derived from the diet or from the rumen.

March 14, 2024

Renee Smith

Let’s play a simple word association game. When I say “milkfat,” what do you say? Palmitic? That’s what I’d expect 80% of you to say if we were having this conversation in person.

Ferme Robec: Producing today with tomorrow in mind

This Quebec farm is looking to the future with a bold crop strategy.

February 21, 2024

Véronique Hébert-Lussier

“With a bit of hope, there will be a future for future generations and our businesses will be sustainable, as much for the soil and the waterways as for the planet." – Sébastien Brown

The advantages of automated feed pushing for cows

Automated feed pushing focuses on the consistency and reduction of feed refusals, increased butterfat content, minimized sorting behavior and enhanced performance of more timid cows.

December 13, 2023

Jim Mattox

In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, robotic technology has found its way into various aspects of farming, including dairy production. Automated feed pushing systems have emerged as a revolutionary solution for improving feed management in dairy farms.

More to milkfat than meets the eye

Milkfat can be an important marker for rumen health and production efficiency.

September 26, 2023

William M. Seymour

Milkfat is a valuable commodity and is a reflection of overall rumen health and production efficiency. Take a proactive approach with your nutritionist to find ways to better optimize factors affecting milkfat yield, including taking a closer look at what lies behind the average bulk tank fat test.

Enhancing milkfat yield in dairy cows: Proven techniques and best practices

A dairy's bottom line depends on milkfat. Look at nutrition and beyond to improve your yield.

September 12, 2023

Marc-Antoine Guesthier

By optimizing nutrition, maintaining optimal rumen health, utilizing genetics and breeding strategies, and focusing on good cow comfort and management practices, producers can significantly improve milkfat production.

From the Journal of Dairy Science: Daily milk synthesis and carbohydrate digestion

August 23, 2023

Pedro Nogueira

Milk synthesis exhibits a daily rhythm that is modified by the timing of feed intake. However, it is unknown how specific nutrients entrain this daily rhythm.