Quality of raw milk from a farm with automatic milking system in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the quality of raw cow’s milk from an automatic milking system. Samples of milk (48) were analyzed chemically and microbiologically and the somatic cell count, freezing point and inhibitor residues were determined. For comparison purposes, milk analysis data from two farms using conventional machine milking and 2008 milk analysis report data for the Czech Republic were used. All physical and chemical characteristics of the study samples were within the established limits. The average content (%) of chemical indicators was following: fat 3.79 ± 0.18, protein 3.46 ± 0.06, casein 2.67 ± 0.09, lactose 4.82 ± 0.04 and NFS 8.96 ± 0.11. The values for freezing point and somatic cells count were 221 ± 46.103·ml-1 and -0.521 ± 0.003 °C respectively. No inhibitor residue was detected in any of the samples. Microbiological values were lower than the limits: the total microbial count (2.3·104 CFU·ml-1), psychrotrophic count (6.3·103 CFU·ml-1), coliform count (2.4·101 CFU·ml-1), Escherichia coli count (3.2·101 CFU·ml-1), enterococci count (8.5·101 CFU·ml-1) and Staphylococcus aureus count (1.1·101 CFU·ml-1). The study provides a comprehensive view on the quality of milk produced by robotic milking. The automatic milking system seems to be excellent in terms of milking and milk hygiene.