Roughage quality and its impact on milk composition in dairy farms

This study investigated the effects of roughage quality on milk yield and composition in disease-free dairy farms in the Çine District of Aydın, Turkey. Milk samples were collected from dairy cows, along with feed samples including alfalfa hay, corn silage, and total mixed ration (TMR), from disease-free farms. Milk samples were analyzed for protein and fat content, while feed samples were evaluated for dry matter, crude protein, crude ash, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Statistical analyses, including Chi-square, Student's t-test, and Mann-Whitney U test, were employed to assess the data. Roughage quality was classified as high or medium based on relative feed value with farm sizes ranging from 59 to 167 cattle. No significant differences were observed between roughage quality and factors such as farm owner education level, farm capacity, average milk yield, TMR mixer type, or corn silage maturity and usage. However, a significant difference (P