Seasonal trend of some parameters of the milk quality payment for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Abstract

The study was carried out during 4 years (2002∏2005) on 85587 bulk milk samples from the evening and the morning milking of 1340 dairy herds subdivided in plain, hill and mountain. All the parameters were influenced by year, season and year*season interaction. Titratable acidity showed higher values in autumn (3.28 °SH/50ml) and lower in summer (3.22). Somatic cell count was lower in winter and higher in summer. The calculated casein values, were higher in autumn (2.54 g/100g) and lower in spring (2.42). Fat content values were higher in autumn (3.67 g/100g) and lower in spring and summer (3.47-3.46). During summer the quality of the milk had a general worsening. Such a worsening was more evident during summer of the year 2003, characterised by THI values higher than those of years 2002, 2004 and 2005.

Key words:

• Piglet
• Weaning
• Thymol
• Salmonella