Lactation Insights: Unveiling Milk Production and Composition Trends in Holstein-Friesian Crosses

Abstract

Dairy farming occupies a critical position in Bangladesh's agricultural system since it plays a vital role in employment, nutrition, and food security. Still, this sector faces a considerable challenge: there is a progressive gap in the supply of milk and its consumption which is crossing 45 lakh metric tons per annum. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of the lactation stages on milk production and its quality to improve the development of dairies positively. This study was conducted in Patiya upazila of Chattogram targeting 20 Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows that closely resemble the actual population. The collection of records was made very effective in different aspects across the three distinct phases of lactation. The research revealed that the amount of milk produced decreases with the progression of lactation as the average yield is 11.043 liters/day during early lactation. At the same time, the milk fat and lactose concentrations increased sharply during the late lactation stage, while SNF concentrations reached their maximum in mid-lactation. In addition, the research showed that the protein content in milk was slightly lower throughout the lactation period. The study thus reveals that the relationship between the lactation stage and milk composition is not simple. These differences also remind the stockholders about the necessity to implement the development of lactation management to not only preserve but also improve the quality and quantity of milk production. Knowledge of these lactation dynamics will thus enable dairy farmers to feed and manage their animals in ways that enhance yield, while at the same time also achieving the right components in milk at the correct proportion. This study provides a theoretical contribution to the existing literature in dairy science alongside practical implications to the policymakers as well as farmers in an attempt to enhance efficiency and sustainable dairy production in Bangladesh.