Different Conditions during Confinement in Pasture-Based Systems and Feeding Systems Affect the Fatty Acid Profile in the Milk and Cheese of Holstein Dairy Cows

Simple Summary Pasture-based systems have advantages compared to confined systems, such as a higher proportion of beneficial milk fatty acids for their consumers. However, in mixed systems (grazing + total mixed ration), cows are more exposed to external climatic conditions. Due to climate change (high temperature or heavy rains), cows spend more time in confinement facilities where supplementation is offered, mainly in intensive mixed systems (high stocking rate). Therefore, the conditions of the facility during their confinement acquire great importance. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated how the different facility conditions during confinement in a mixed system affect the fatty acid profiles in milk and cheese. The objective of this study was to compare the fatty acid profiles between mixed systems with different conditions during confinement (compost-bedded pack barns vs. outdoor soil-bedded pen) and mixed systems and confinement systems (100% total mixed ration) in a compost-bedded pack barns. In conclusion, the compost-bedded pack barns during confinement in a mixed system ensued a better milk quality (a higher percentage of Omega 3 (n-3) and C18:3 in the milk) compared to the outdoor soil-bedded pen. However, the fatty acid profiles in the milk, pooled milk (MilkP), and cheese were affected to a greater extent by the feeding management than by controlling the environment during the confinement. The diet of dairy cows influences the fatty acid (FA) profiles of their milk and cheese, but how these are affected by different conditions during confinement in a mixed system (MS:grazing + total mixed ration:TMR) is not known. The aim of this study was to compare the FAs of the milk and cheese from MS in a compost-bedded pack barns (CB-GRZ) versus an outdoor soil-bedded pen (OD-GRZ) during confinement, and with a confinement system (100%TMR) in a compost-bedded pack barns (CB-TMR). Individual milk samples (n = 12 cows/group), cheese, and pooled milk (MilkP) samples were collected. The saturated FA percentages in the milk and the omega 6/omega 3 ratio in the MilkP and cheese were greater for the CB-TMR (p < 0.0001), while the unsaturated and monounsaturated FA percentages in the milk were lower for the CB-TMR than the MS (p < 0.001). The milk n-3, C18:3, and conjugated linoleic acid percentages were lower for the CB-TMR than the MS (p < 0.001). The milk n-3 and C18:3 were higher for the CB-GRZ than the OD-GRZ (p < 0.01), but no differences were observed between the MS in the MilkP and cheese. In conclusion, CB-GRZ cows during confinement produced better quality milk compared to OD-GRZ cows. However, the FA profiles of the milk, MilkP, and cheese were affected to a greater extent by the feeding management than by the conditions during confinement.

Automated summary

Pasture-based systems have advantages over confined systems, but in mixed systems cows are more exposed to external climatic conditions. This study aimed to compare the fatty acid profiles between mixed systems with different conditions during confinement. The compost-bedded pack barns during confinement in a mixed system resulted in better milk quality compared to the outdoor soil-bedded pen. However, the fatty acid profiles in the milk and cheese were affected more by feeding management than by controlling the environment during confinement.