Studies on solids-not-fat content of milk of crossbred cows under village conditions and organized farms of Kerala *

Abstract

The data on solids-not-fat (SNF) content of milk of 1 284 samples, obtained from 222 crossbred cows, under village conditions and organized farms of Kerala, calved during 1995-96, were analyzed. The average solids-not-fat content of morning and evening milk was 8.568 ± 0.041 and 8.537 ± 0.040 for early lactation, 8.593 ± 0.061 and 8.524 ± 0.040 for middle lactation and 8.518 ± 0.048 and 8.502 ± 0.039 for late lactation. Least-squares analysis revealed that the effect of sire, centre and season on SNF were nonsignificant. SNF percentage of milk did not exhibit much variation, with the progress of lactation. Around 47% of cows, irrespective of stage of lactation and time of milking, recorded SNF percentage below the legal standards of 8.5.