Evaluating bovine milk quality in Southern Ethiopian smallholder dairying and its implications for potential market orientation

The changing food quality requirements are often regarded as potentially limiting smallholder farmers’ opportunities to reach expanding markets. However, inadequate evidence exists on milk quality at smallholder dairy farming and its implications for market orientation. This study was carried out to evaluate the microbial and compositional quality of the bovine milk in the southern Ethiopia. Fifty-four raw milk samples were investigated from small- and medium-sized farm households. The milk samples contained 3.66 and 3.77% fat, 3.23 and 3.25% protein, 8.32 and 8.43% solids not fat, 12.79 and 13.08% total solids, 4.21 and 4.47% ash and 0.65 and 0.65% lactose for small and medium size farms, respectively. These findings (fat, protein and solid-not-fat values) meet the minimum Ethiopian quality standard. There were significant differences (p < 0.05) in milk fat, solid-non-fat, total solid, and lactose across farm scales. The total bacterial and coliform count values were 5.94 ± 0.08 Log10 cfu/ml and 5.0 ± 1.56 Log10 cfu/ml, respectively. There was a significant variation on total bacteria count (p < 0.05) across farm scales, training access, water treatment, and udder washing. The overall mean of coliform counts was significantly different (p < 0.05) across access to training, labor usage, and barn cleaning frequency. The insufficient hygienic conditions, as indicated by elevated coliform and total bacterial counts relative to quality standards, highlight the need for training in safe milk production and proper handling practices. Additionally, market-based incentives should be introduced to motivate milk producers toward improved practices.