Differences in Breeding Systems Can Affect the Body Hygiene Status and Productivity of Anatolian Buffalo Cows

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different breeding systems [intensive systems (IS) and semi-intensive systems (SIS)] on the body hygiene status of Anatolian buffalo cows (udder, upper and lower rear limbs, and tail), as well as on milk yield per milking (MYM), dry matter (DM), fat, non-fat solids (SNF), protein, the fat-to-protein ratio (FPR), lactose, density, freezing point (FP), somatic cell count (SCC), pH and electrical conductivity (EC). Additionally, the relationships between the variables examined with body hygiene scores [udder hygiene score (UHS), upper rear limbs hygiene score (URS) and lower rear limbs hygiene score (LRS), and tail hygiene score (THS)] were evaluated. A total of 160 primiparous cows were selected from sixteen commercial farms in Samsun, Türkiye. The farms were grouped according to their breeding system: IS (n = 80) and SIS (n = 80), with eight farms in each group utilising semi-open free-stall housing. The milk's MYM was determined using a digital scale, while an automated milk analyser was used to analyse the milk samples and determine their components, such as DM, fat, SNF, protein, lactose, minerals, density and FP. The SCC, pH and EC values were determined using a somatic cell counter, pH meter and EC meter, respectively. Differences between the IS and SIS groups were evaluated using t-tests for milk quality traits and Mann–Whitney U tests for hygiene scores. Spearman's correlation was used to determine the relationship between anatomical hygiene scores and milk quality parameters. The results showed that SIS management resulted in significantly higher hygiene scores in all anatomical regions of cows than IS management did. The SCC and EC were higher in the SIS cows than in the IS group, but their milk had a lower protein content and density. As body parts hygiene score increased, the cows' SCC, EC and pH increased, but their MYM and some milk components. This study concluded that SIS cows had poorer body hygiene than IS cows in all examined body regions, which could negatively affect SCC and EC—accepted indicators of udder health and milk hygiene—and ultimately milk protein content and milk density.