The effects of breed and other factors on the composition and freezing point of cow’s milk in Poland

The milk obtained from six cow breeds (Polish Holstein‐Friesian Black‐White and Red‐White, Simmental, Jersey, Polish Red and Polish Black‐White) managed in the Lubelskie region and the Bieszczady Mountains was analysed. A total of 3618 milk samples collected between 2005 and 2008 were evaluated for the total solids content, percentage concentrations of fat, protein and lactose, and the freezing point: the mean milk freezing point was ?0.538°C. The freezing point of milk was influenced by breed, successive lactations, lactation stage and the geographic region. In milk with a high urea concentration (over 300 mg/L), the increased apparent protein level caused a decrease in the milk freezing point values. The combined influence of geographic region and production season showed significant interactions for daily milk yield and total solids content (P < 0.01) and the milk freezing point (P < 0.05).