Differences in whey protein content between cow's milk collected in late pasture and early indoor feeding season from conventional and organic farms in Poland

Abstract

The results show significant differences in the investigated parameters between organic milk and milk from conventional system during EIF and LP. Moreover, extending the pasture season during EIF in organic farms decreases concentration of bioactive compounds of milk.

Quality of cows' milk from organic and conventional farming

“…The seasonal difference was found mainly between the periods March to August and October to December (results not shown). Our findings agree with other studies focused on the comparison of the protein content between the two types of production (Olivo et al 2005;Nauta et al 2006;Hanuš et al 2008a;Battaglini et al 2009;Kuczynska et al 2012). There was also a significant difference in the content of casein in milk (lower content in organic milk and late spring and summer months when compared with organic and winter months, respectively), which is also consistent with some published results (Hanuš et al 2008a).…”

“…The average values are in accordance with other studies comparing organic and conventional milks (Toledo et al 2002;Bergamo et al 2003; Kuczynska et al 2012). These results between studies might be due to different breeds included in these experiments (Winter et al 2002;Kühn et al 2004) or to differences in nutrition of the cows whose milk was compared: high quality, coarsely chopped feed, provided in sufficient amounts available in organic farms (Zagorska & Ciprovica 2008).…”

“…Our analysis also showed a higher lactose content in conventional and winter milk which is in line with the findings of Kuczynska et al (2012) but not in agreement with many previously published studies (Toledo et al 2002;Olivo et al 2005;Hanuš et al 2008b;Battaglini et al 2009). The content of lactose could be affected by the higher concentrations of sugar in cows' feeding (Zagorska & Ciprovica 2008) but according to Sutton (1989), only very small changes in lactose concentration occur in the response to diet.…”

“…Other studies have, however, shown the opposite conclusion. Higher SCC in organic milk was found by Nauta et al (2006) or Kuczynska et al (2012) while Toledo et al (2002), Olivo et al (2005), and Cermanova et al (2011) found a lower SCC in organic milk. These controversial findings may suggest that SCC could depend mainly on the hygiene and health status of dairy cows and not so much on the farming system.…”

“…There was also a significant difference in the content of casein in milk (lower content in organic milk and late spring and summer months when compared with organic and winter months, respectively), which is also consistent with some published results (Hanuš et al 2008a). Kuczynska et al (2012) found higher concentrations of beneficial whey proteins in organic than in conventional milk. However, there are some studies present contradictory results.…”