Mineral and Citrate Concentrations in Milk Are Affected by Seasons, Stage of Lactation and Management Practices

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine associations between nutrition, time of year and season of calving on milk mineral concentrations in 24 pasture-based dairy farms. There was substantial variation in the concentrations (mean with range in parentheses) of Ca 1072 (864-1310) mg/kg; citrate 1579 (880-2080) mg/kg; P 885 (640-1040) mg/kg; Mg 98 (73-122) mg/kg; Na 347 (248-554) mg/kg; K 1534 (1250-2010) mg/kg; and S 295 (155-372) mg/kg with most of the variation associated with stage of lactation, although the influence of days in milk was different for different minerals. Feeding practices were also important in determining the concentrations of some components. Milk Ca, citrate, P, and K concentrations were greater (p < 0.05) in cows receiving mineral supplements, while Ca, P and Mg were positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the amount of concentrates fed. Milk citrate and K concentrations were positively correlated (p < 0.05) with herbage allowance. Milk Se (15 (<3-37) µg/kg) and Zn (3.4 (2.2-4.9) mg/kg) also varied with time of year, with Se concentrations also greater (13.7 vs 11.6 µg/kg) in spring compared with autumn calving herds and positively correlated (p < 0.05) with the amount of concentrates fed and mineral supplementation. These data indicate that calving pattern and feeding practices could be used to reduce variation in the measured milk mineral concentrations.

Comparative Nutrient Profiling of Retail Goat and Cow Milk

“…Milk S is predominately found within sulpho-amino acids of milk proteins. Not surprisingly, therefore, a positive correlation between milk protein concentration and Ca, Mg, P and S was previously shown for cow milk [20]. In the current study for goat milk, Ca and S were positively correlated with milk protein, whereas the inverse was true for Mg and P (data not shown).…”

“…Minerals are essential to the human body and play numerous vital roles, including (but not restricted to) enzyme co-factor activity, metallo-proteins, vitamin and bone formation, osmolarity, nutrient absorption and oxygen transport, as previously presented in multiple books and publications [18]. Milk is a good source of the macro minerals Ca, Mg, P and K as well as three micro minerals I, Se and Zn [19,20]. It also contains the macro minerals Na and S along with the micro minerals B, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo and Ni, although it is not considered a major source of these minerals in human diets [10,19,21].…”

Long-Term Feeding of Dairy Goats with Broccoli By-Product and Artichoke Plant Silages: Milk Yield, Quality and Composition

“…The Ca/P ratio of C animals was lower due to its lower Ca content. The higher concentration of Ca in BB animals is due to the fact that the diet of this treatment also presented a higher level of Ca than the other two [50], which is beneficial for milk coagulation and curd firmness [51].…”

Top-dressing of chelated phytogenic feed additives in the diet of lactating Friesian cows to enhance feed utilization and lactational performance

“…The PHY3 treatment increased milk contents of Ca and Zn. As previously noted, the concentrations of milk Ca and Zn and protein (Dunshea et al, 2019). Braun et al (2019) observed that feeding essential oils containing menthol, as the major active compound, to lactating cows increased Ca levels in milk.…”