Scientists at the CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific Industrial Research Organisation) have at last identified the reasons why dairy farmers in Queensland and West Australia (WA) produce milk with a low protein content over the summer months, a situation which costs an estimated A$10,000 (US$5,426) per farm, every year.
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Researcher Dr Colin White told the West Australian: “We have been studying the factors affecting milk quality for the last three years under a national project supported by the agricultural departments of WA and Queensland, the Dairy Research and Development Corporation and the University of Queensland.
Currently, WA milk does not meet national standards for quality for both fresh milk and milk powder, leaving processors to add protein at the manufacturing stage. Such extra costs are hitting the industry hard in the wake of deregulation.
“If cows in WA were producing milk with the same protein levels as the Victorian industry right through the year the industry here would be making about A$5m extra,” Dr White said.
Dr White explained that researchers were now able to pinpoint the main issues behind seasonal protein falls. These are mainly nutrient based, and he suggested that farmers consider using maize or cereal silage in order to lift protein levels. He added that managing lactation was another component.
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By GlobalData
