Relationship between Geographic Factors and Milk Composition in Holstein Cows Production in Ecuador

This study addresses the hypothesis that geographic and environmental factors influencemilk quality parameters in Ecuadorian Holstein dairy farms. The study evaluates the composition and sanitary quality of milk from 47 herds registered in the Ecuadorian Holstein Association between 2015 and 2019. Key milk quality indicators, including fat percentage, crude protein percentage, fat-to-protein ratio, total solids percentage, lactose percentage, and somatic cell count, were analyzed to determine their variation across different years, seasons, and altitudes. Results indicate that crude protein and fat content and somatic cell count was higher in summer, whereas lactose content was higher in winter. Altitude significantlyaffected milk quality, with the highest fat, protein, and total solids concentrations found at 500–1000 meters above sea level, while the highest lactose content and somatic cell count were recorded at 1001–1500 meters. These findingshighlight the influenceof environmental conditions on milk composition and provide a basis for optimizing dairy production strategies in Ecuador.