Fenvalerate ear tags reduced fly loads on dry dairy cattle by 95 % between July and September. Fly dislodging behaviour, such as ear flicks which correlated with numbers of Musca autumnalis on the face and stamps/kicks which correlated with numbers of Stomoxys caldtrans on the legs, was also significantly reduced. There was no significant difference between the tagged and untagged groups in the total time spent grazing each day. Milk yields were not statistically significantly different, but the tagged group showed a greater increase in milk yield between lactations, of 1-45 kg/cow daily in the first 12 weeks of the lactation.

24 ultra heat treated (UHT) and 17 in-bottle sterilized milks prepared in commercial plants and of a similar age were presented to taste panels for assessment of flavour and colour. The colour was also analysed instrumentally and the lactulose content of the milks measured by an enzymic method. Flavour defects, other than the cooked flavour, were scored very low. The lactulose content of the milks was negatively correlated with the acceptability of the milks and positively correlated with the cooked flavour. Correlations were also found between the visual and instrumental assessments of milk colour and between some of the instrumental colour parameters and the lactulose content of the milks. UHT and in-container sterilized milks could not always be distinguished on the basis of their organoleptic qualities. The best distinction was observed in the scores for cooked smell and acceptability of taste. The usefulness of the lactulose content and/or the colour of the milks in discriminating between UHT and in-bottle sterilized milks was calculated. Using all the data, sterilized milk could be correctly identified in 96-7 % of decisions. The lactulose content of a milk was considered to give a good indication of the organoleptic quality of the milk.

SUMMARYThe effect of aeration and agitation during milking on free fatty acid (FFA) levels in raw milk was investigated by comparing (a) a dual vacuum system with a ‘round the barn’ installation and (b) a claw piece requiring high air bleed with conventional claw pieces. Reduced milk transfer pressure resulted in a reduction in lipolysis of 54%, while high air bleed led to a 21% increase. FFA values were related to milk yield, stage of lactation and to a lesser extent the incidence of mastitis. These relationships were largely independent of the type of milking equipment. Fat content and somatic cell count did not affect the level of lipolysis. Increases in FFA due to activation by added blood serum were strongly related to the initial FFA concentrations.