-The chemical composition and clotting properties of milk from 45 Modicana (Mo) and Holstein (Ho) cows were assessed over the winter (December and January) and spring periods (March-April). The cows came from 4 farms of the Ragusa region (Italy). Considerable differences in milk yield, milk composition and clotting properties were noted between breeds. During the winter and spring periods, Mo and Ho produced an average 15.4 and 35.8 kg . day -1 of milk, respectively. The Mo milk contained significantly more fat (+5.8 g . kg -1 ), nitrogen (+5.9 g . kg -1 ) and lactose (+1.9 g . kg -1 ). The casein/true protein ratio was also higher in Mo milk (+3.5%) and the plasmin content was 87% lower. The fatty acid composition was the same in both breeds. The pH of the Mo milk was lower (-0.07), coagulation time and curd firming rate were quicker (32 and 53% respectively) and the curd was firmer (+50%). The results obtained during the spring period were very close to those of the winter period. For a same nitrogen content, the Mo milk produced a 16% firmer curd than the Ho milk, probably due to its higher casein/protein ratio and its higher content of casein κ variant B (75 and 28% for Mo and Ho cows respectively).
milk / Holstein and Modicana breeds / chemical composition/ clotting propertiesRésumé -Composition chimique et aptitude à la coagulation du lait des races bovines Modicana et Holstein. La production, la composition chimique et l'aptitude à la coagulation du lait de 45 vaches de race Modicana (Mo) et Holstein (Ho) vêlant à partir du mois de septembre ont été contrôlées en hiver (décembre et janvier) et au printemps (mars et avril). Les animaux provenaient de 4 élevages de Ragusa en Italie (Sicile). Des différences considérables ont été observées entre les races pour la production laitière, la composition chimique et l'aptitude à la coagulation du lait. En moyenne, au cours de l'hiver et du printemps, les Mo et Ho ont produit respectivement 15,4 et 35,8 kg . jour -1 de lait. Le lait Mo a été significativement plus riche en matières grasses (+5,8 g . kg -1 ), en matières azotées totales (+5,9 g . kg -1 ) et en lactose (+1,9 g . kg -1 ). Le rapport caséines/proteines, Ann. Zootech. 49 (2000) 497-503 497