Dairy

6 pages, 654 KB

Open AccessCommunication

No Evidence for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus in Direct-To-Consumer Raw Cow’s Milk Samples in Switzerland

by Thomas Paravicini, Magdalena Nüesch-Inderbinen, Markus Mader, Karin Darpel, Roger Stephan and Claudia Bachofen

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020029 - 3 Apr 2026

Viewed by 1623

Abstract

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 has been detected in dairy cattle in the United States, with high viral loads observed in milk from infected animals. This raises public health concerns regarding potential transmission through exposure to raw milk. The sale of [...] Read more.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 has been detected in dairy cattle in the United States, with high viral loads observed in milk from infected animals. This raises public health concerns regarding potential transmission through exposure to raw milk. The sale of raw milk via vending machines represents a well-established distribution model in many European countries, including Switzerland. Although a notice must be posted on these milk vending machines stating that it is raw milk, together with appropriate processing instructions (heating to over 70 °C required, storage below 5 °C, consumption within 3 days), these notices are sometimes missing, and consumers often do not follow these guidelines. Over a four-month period, spanning from June 2025 to September 2025, 124 raw milk samples were collected from vending machines across Switzerland. Samples were screened for influenza A using reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). No samples tested positive for influenza A virus. The data from this study demonstrate the feasibility of implementing a sampling and detection system for HPAIV H5N1 in direct-to consumer raw milk samples and highlight the currently very low risk of HPAIV in raw milk samples sold via vending machines in Switzerland. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Milk and Human Health)

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13 pages, 702 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence, Anatomical Distribution, and Risk Factors for Integumentary Injuries in Grazing Dairy Cows Under Tropical Conditions

by Severino Guilherme Caetano Gonçalves dos Santos, Carla Aparecida Soares Saraiva, Severino Gonzaga Neto, Vinícius de França Carvalho Fonsêca, Aline Cristina Sant’Anna, Maria Isabelly Leite Maia, Luiz Arthur dos Anjos Lima, Tarsys Noan Silva Veríssimo, Larissa Kellen da Cunha Morais, Wylke Alves de Azevedo Soares, Pavlos Vinícius do Nascimento, Delfino Isac Belarmino Afo and Edilson Paes Saraiva

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020028 - 30 Mar 2026

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Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out on small-scale dairy farms in Paraíba State, Brazil, to evaluate the prevalence and anatomical distribution of integument injuries in grazing dairy cows. Twelve herds (n = 12) were assessed, recording herd size, milk yield, and daily [...] Read more.

A cross-sectional study was carried out on small-scale dairy farms in Paraíba State, Brazil, to evaluate the prevalence and anatomical distribution of integument injuries in grazing dairy cows. Twelve herds (n = 12) were assessed, recording herd size, milk yield, and daily hours of pasture access. The integument of five body regions (back/shoulder/neck, carpus, flank/side/udder, tarsus, and hindquarters) was scored for hairless spots, lesions, and swellings (0 = absent; 1 = present). Among 335 cows observed, 267 (81.5%) presented at least one injury. The most frequent conditions were hairless patches on the hock (65.4 ± 5.03%), lesions on the flank/side/udder (34.5 ± 1.46%), and swelling in the back/shoulder/neck region (52.9 ± 5.86%). Cluster analysis revealed distinct patterns of integument injuries among cows. The high prevalence of integument injuries indicates that even in grazing systems, welfare concerns persist. Neck swelling and hairless spots on the hock were the most common problems, emphasizing the need for improved management and environmental practices to enhance welfare outcomes. These findings have practical implications for welfare assessment and management strategies in tropical grazing dairy systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Animal Nutrition and Welfare)

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16 pages, 857 KB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Thermography on Dairy Goats Under Elevated Ambient Temperature and Udder Inflammation

by Joel Bueso-Ródenas, Gema Romero, Alfonso Navarro, Elena Pérez, Pilar Gascó and José Ramón Díaz

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 27; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020027 - 26 Mar 2026

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Abstract

Infrared thermography has been proposed as a non-invasive tool for mastitis detection in dairy ruminants; however, the extent of environmental confounding and diagnostic performance in small ruminants remain poorly characterized. This study evaluated udder thermography in dairy goats through correlation analysis under winter [...] Read more.

Infrared thermography has been proposed as a non-invasive tool for mastitis detection in dairy ruminants; however, the extent of environmental confounding and diagnostic performance in small ruminants remain poorly characterized. This study evaluated udder thermography in dairy goats through correlation analysis under winter and summer conditions, and an experimental intramammary inflammation challenge using Staphylococcus aureus lipoteichoic acid, with receiver operating characteristic analysis using somatic cell count >1500 × 10³ cells/mL as the reference standard. Strong positive correlations between ambient temperature and udder surface temperatures intensified substantially from winter to summer, while surface temperatures showed weak or absent correlations with rectal temperature. Experimental inflammation induced a 12-fold increase in somatic cell count (305 vs. 3658 × 10³ cells/mL, p < 0.001); however, thermographic responses remained minimal and spatially inconsistent, with area under the curve values approximating 0.5 and weak correlations between thermographic measurements and somatic cell count. Environmental temperature variation and physiological thermoregulatory adjustments substantially exceeded the minimal thermal signal generated by intramammary inflammation, limiting diagnostic utility. Infrared thermography showed poor diagnostic utility for detecting experimentally induced intramammary inflammation in dairy goats under the tested conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Small Ruminants)

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37 pages, 1511 KB

Open AccessArticle

Economics of Production Diseases at the Individual Animal Level in German Dairy Farms

by Adriana Wöckel, Wolf Wippermann, Benno Waurich, Erik Bannert, Julia Wittich, Christina Felgentreu, Franz Fröhlich, Fanny Rachidi, Peter Hufe, Detlef May, Sven Dänicke, Hermann H. Swalve, Alexander Starke and Melanie Schären-Bannert

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 26; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020026 - 24 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1566

Abstract

Production diseases in dairy cattle impose economic and welfare burdens, yet few studies quantify costs using on-farm cases. This study aimed to estimate costs and lost revenues at the individual-animal level in 10 German dairy farms (average of 592 cows; 9694 kg marketed [...] Read more.

Production diseases in dairy cattle impose economic and welfare burdens, yet few studies quantify costs using on-farm cases. This study aimed to estimate costs and lost revenues at the individual-animal level in 10 German dairy farms (average of 592 cows; 9694 kg marketed milk/cow/year; 32.9% culling rate). Each farm was visited for three weeks; diseased cows and calves were examined by a trained veterinarian. Diagnoses, treatments, labour times, and outcomes were recorded, and costs calculated for labour, products, veterinary and orthopaedic services, discarded milk, decreased milk yield, culling, book loss, and reduced carcass value. In total, 1272 single-animal cases were included: 68% were stand-alone diseases, 11% involved multiple diagnoses within one organ system, and 21% affected several organ systems. When several diseases occurred in the same animal, total costs and lost revenues were greater than the sum of stand-alone cases, indicating compounding effects. High-impact conditions included mastitis, claw disorders, left displaced abomasum, and multimorbidity; per-case losses ranged from €43 (digital dermatitis) to >€1200 (left displaced abomasum with complications). Labour and culling-related costs were higher than reported, and productivity losses exceeded treatment costs in many cases. Findings support farm-level decision-making, prevention, and parameterization of future dynamic models. Full article

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16 pages, 275 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Mitigation of Methane Emissions from Ruminants: Evaluating the Efficacy of Selected Additives and Feed Replacements in an In Vitro Trial

by Ana Maria da Costa Goncalves Noronha, Eslam Ahmed, Ahmed O. Matti-Alapafuja, Belgutei Batbekh, Masaaki Hanada, Naoki Fukuma and Takehiro Nishida

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020025 - 23 Mar 2026

Viewed by 2049

Abstract

The need for new feed ingredients that could reduce methane (CH₄) emissions from dairy cattle while maintaining rumen function is essential for sustainable milk production. This study aimed to evaluate the CH₄ mitigation potential of selected microalgae and macroalgae, along [...] Read more.

The need for new feed ingredients that could reduce methane (CH₄) emissions from dairy cattle while maintaining rumen function is essential for sustainable milk production. This study aimed to evaluate the CH₄ mitigation potential of selected microalgae and macroalgae, along with an agro-industrial by-product, using two feeding strategies, and hypothesized that lipid- and polyphenol-rich materials would reduce CH₄ production in an inclusion-dependent manner. An in vitro batch culture study (24 h) was conducted to evaluate microalgae (Euglena gracilis and Aurantiochytrium spp.), macroalgae (Undaria pinnatifida), and an agro-industrial by-product (grape marc) either as feed additives (5%) or as a partial replacement of the concentrate mixture (30%, 50%, and 70%) in a basal diet consisting of 50% Klein grass hay and 50% concentrate mixture. As a feed additive, grape marc stands out for its potential to reduce CH₄ yield by about 43.3% without adversely affecting digestibility, pH, or total volatile fatty acid concentrations. When used as feed replacements, Euglena-, Aurantiochytrium-, and grape marc-based feeds reduced CH₄ yield at the highest replacement levels (50 and 70%); however, these effects were accompanied by decreased total gas production and volatile fatty acid concentrations, indicating reduced fermentation activity. Meanwhile, at a 30% replacement level, they showed promising efficiency as alternative feeds. Overall, CH₄ mitigation depends more strongly on inclusion strategy rather than feed type. Lipid-rich microalgae showed potential as concentrate replacements up to 30%, whereas grape marc was most effective as a feed additive for reducing CH₄ emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Animal Nutrition and Welfare)

12 pages, 549 KB

Open AccessArticle

Reproductive and Productive Performance of Romanian Buffaloes Under Temperate-Continental Conditions: A 30-Year Retrospective Study

by Crina-Raluca Andrei, Nicolae Tiberiu Constantin, Remus Ioan Chiorean, Adrian Bota, Florin Petrișor Posastiuc, Mariana Ioniță and Ioan Liviu Mitrea

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020024 - 17 Mar 2026

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Abstract

This study evaluated key reproductive and productive parameters of the Romanian buffalo reared under temperate-continental conditions. Data collected over a 30-year period (1990–2020) from 310 female buffaloes raised at the Şercaia Buffalo Research and Development Station (Brașov County, Romania) were analyzed. Only animals [...] Read more.

This study evaluated key reproductive and productive parameters of the Romanian buffalo reared under temperate-continental conditions. Data collected over a 30-year period (1990–2020) from 310 female buffaloes raised at the Şercaia Buffalo Research and Development Station (Brașov County, Romania) were analyzed. Only animals that completed their first gestation and calving within the herd and had complete lifetime records were included. Buffaloes were monitored longitudinally from first calving until the end of their productive life, regardless of the reason for exit. The evaluated traits included age at first calving, number of lactations, milk yield, milk fat content, and the effect of calf sex on milk production. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, group comparisons, and linear regression. Mean age at first calving was 51.6 ± 14.0 months, and females completed an average of 7.8 ± 3.0 lactations, indicating good reproductive longevity. Buffaloes calving male offspring produced significantly more milk per lactation (1272 ± 267 L) than those calving female offspring (1099 ± 244 L; p < 0.01). Milk fat content averaged approximately 7% and did not differ significantly between females giving birth to female offspring and those giving birth to male offspring (p > 0.05). Overall, the results indicate good productive stability and reproductive durability of the Romanian buffalo under semi-intensive management and confirm its adaptability to temperate environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Veterinary Reproductive Physiology, Endocrinology, Management and Diseases)

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18 pages, 5320 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Heat Treatment and Calcium Addition on the Coagulum Quality During Raw and Heated Cow’s Milk Coagulation Induced by GDL

by Thierno Abdoul Rahim Sow, Moncef Hammami, Alpha Oumar Sily Diallo and Romdhane Karoui

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020023 - 9 Mar 2026

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Abstract

Acid-induced coagulation of milk plays an important role in the production of dairy products with high quality. The gel texture is significantly affected by processing conditions such as heat treatment and mineral composition. This study examines the effect of moderate heat treatment applied [...] Read more.

Acid-induced coagulation of milk plays an important role in the production of dairy products with high quality. The gel texture is significantly affected by processing conditions such as heat treatment and mineral composition. This study examines the effect of moderate heat treatment applied at 65 °C for 5 min and ionic calcium supplementation (10 mM CaCl₂) on coagulation at 30 °C for 180 min of cow’s milk induced by glucono-δ-lactone (GDL). A slow and gradual protonation was induced, reaching pH values of 4.3–4.5. Rheological analysis revealed an increase in G′ from 59.28 Pa for raw milk gel to 224.1 Pa after the addition of CaCl₂. An inverse trend was observed for gel produced with heated milk after the addition of CaCl₂. However, the gel produced from calcium-fortified heated milk showed G′ values of 136.7 Pa. Turbiscan analysis showed the highest TSI for gels made from heated milk. Scanning electron microscopy analysis indicates that raw milk gels supplemented with CaCl₂ exhibit dense and homogeneous networks, while heat-treated GDL gels show more porous networks. Mid-infrared (3000–2800 cm⁻¹, 1700–1500 cm⁻¹, and 1500–900 cm⁻¹) and fluorescence spectra revealed changes in protein–protein, protein–water, and protein–protein–lipid interactions throughout coagulation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Milk Processing)

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13 pages, 693 KB

Open AccessArticle

Sugarcane Polyphenols as a Nutritional Strategy to Reduce Somatic Cell Count and Preserve Milk and Yogurt Characteristics

by Elizangela Domenis Marino, Gercino Ferreira Virgínio Júnior, Ariany Faria de Toledo, Izally Carvalho Gervásio, Simara Larissa Fanalli, Carlos Eduardo Cardoso de Aguiar Freire, Samuel Ferreira Gonçalves, Carolina de Souza Moreira, Matthew Flavel, Luiz Carlos Roma Júnior, Weber Vilas Bôas Soares, Aline Silva Mello Cesar and Carla Maris Machado Bittar

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020022 - 5 Mar 2026

Viewed by 1487

Abstract

The present study evaluated the effects of sugarcane-derived polyphenol nutritional supplement on milk production, milk composition, and somatic cell count (SCC) in lactating Holstein cows. A second objective was to evaluate the quality and stability of yogurt produced with milk from supplemented cows. [...] Read more.

The present study evaluated the effects of sugarcane-derived polyphenol nutritional supplement on milk production, milk composition, and somatic cell count (SCC) in lactating Holstein cows. A second objective was to evaluate the quality and stability of yogurt produced with milk from supplemented cows. Sixteen cows (20 ± 2 L/d milk, 120 ± 21 days in milk, 550 ± 82 kg body weight) were assigned to either a control group or a polyphenol-supplemented group in a randomized block design for a six-week evaluation period. Milk yield and individual milk samples for composition analysis (fat, protein, lactose, non-fat solids, casein, free fatty acids, and milk urea nitrogen) were recorded weekly, and only SCC was monitored three times per week. Yogurt was produced from pooled milk of each treatment and evaluated for fermentation parameters (pH, titratable acidity), shelf life, and sensory attributes were evaluated using a triangle test (discriminative sensory analysis). Polyphenol supplementation did not significantly affect milk yield or composition (p > 0.05), but reduced SCC considerably (238 × 10³ vs. 593 × 10³ cells/mL; p < 0.01). Yogurt fermentation and storage parameters were not significantly affected by supplementation, although pH and titratable acidity changed considerably over time (p < 0.01). Sensory analysis indicated that only 37.3% of panelists correctly identified differences between yogurts, which did not differ from chance expectation in the triangle test. These results demonstrate that polyphenol supplementation can improve udder health, evidenced by reduced SCC, without compromising milk yield, composition, or yogurt quality. Polyphenols thus represent a promising nutritional supplement for enhancing dairy cow health and maintaining product quality. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dairy Animal Nutrition and Welfare)

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17 pages, 3001 KB

Open AccessArticle

Comparative Analysis of Ruminant and Equine Milk: Quality Assessment and Potential Benefits for Human Nutrition

by Nikoleta Lugonja, Milena Milojević, Petar Ristivojević, Maja Krstić Ristivojević and Dalibor Stanković

Dairy 2026, 7(2), 21; https://doi.org/10.3390/dairy7020021 - 27 Feb 2026

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1981

Abstract

Milk is a highly nutritious food and a cornerstone of the human diet, supplying not only essential macronutrients but also a wide range of bioactive compounds with important functional and health-promoting properties. This study presents the first comparative analysis of ruminant (cow, goat, [...] Read more.

Milk is a highly nutritious food and a cornerstone of the human diet, supplying not only essential macronutrients but also a wide range of bioactive compounds with important functional and health-promoting properties. This study presents the first comparative analysis of ruminant (cow, goat, sheep) and equine (mare, jenny) milk samples collected in Serbia, with emphasis on their physicochemical properties, protein profile, redox characteristics, and nutritional potential. Ruminant milk had significantly higher protein concentrations, with cow and sheep milk containing the highest levels of protein. Two equine milks demonstrated a distinctive whey-to-casein protein ratio to ruminants, and a higher content of active sulfhydryl groups, correlating with improved digestibility and functional properties. Antioxidant potential was determined using spectrophotometric and electrochemical methods, confirming superior redox potential in mare’s milk, followed by jenny’s and sheep’s milk. Nutritional properties of milk separated by Principal Component Analysis highlighted species-specific profiles of equine milks as a promising alternative for individuals with an allergy to cow’s milk protein, offering enhanced antioxidant protection, bioactive compounds, and digestibility. These results support the potential of equine milk as a functional food with added value in human nutrition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Milk and Human Health)

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Dairy, Volume 7, Issue 2 (April 2026) – 9 articles

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