On-farm management to modify milkfat composition - a review of
experiments undertaken at Dexcel to produce a spreadable butter directly
from the cow
N.A. THOMSON, M.J. AULDIST, J.K. KAY, A.K.H., MacGIBBON AND J.J.
MURPHY
Dexcel Ltd., Private Bag 3221, Hamilton, New Zealand
E-Mail:
NZSAP 2002 Abstract No. 26
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production 62:
100-103
For many years it has been known from overseas studies that the
composition and physical characteristics of milkfat are influenced by
diet. The feeding of oilseeds had been shown to reduce the concentration
in milkfat of short- and medium-chain-length fatty acids and to increase
the concentration of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids. It was also
reported that these changes resulted in softer milkfat and butter with
improved spreadability at low temperatures. With this knowledge, a
six-year collaborative research programme between the New Zealand Dairy
Research Institute and Dexcel was undertaken to investigate the economic
feasibility of producing a spreadable butter directly from the cow. The
programme investigated the influence of each component in pastoral
dairying that may possibly influence milkfat composition. These were:
pasture, (location, defoliation interval, and species effects) on
pasture lipid composition, grazed pasture effects (species and grazing
rotation), supplementary feed effects (ruminally and non-ruminally
protected oilseeds), frequency of feeding, and milking management.
Following the study of each component the various components will be
combined to develop a total farm management system to achieve the
programme’s goals. The goal of producing a spreadable butter directly
from the cow has been achieved, but the programme has yet to develop a
profitable farm system to produce the product under existing returns for
milksolids.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
milkfat composition; pasture lipid composition; oilseed
supplementation.
Last Updated 30/07/2002
