Raw Milk Quality: High-Tech Production Case in Vologda Region

The Vologda Region, Russia, possesses perfect natural and climatic conditions for dairy farming. Its farms supply raw milk to processing plants all over Russia. In addition, the Vologda Region is a subarctic zone responsible for food security in a number of developing territories. New methods of raw milk quality assessment are of great practical importance in the local high-tech production environment. The technological parameters of raw milk are particularly important for branded cheeses and butter. This article describes the case of an agricultural enterprise in the Vologda Region and the milk quality parameters obtained from high-yielding cows fed with local bulk feed. The feed samples were analyzed using standard chemical and physical methods, as well as infrared spectrometry. The milk samples were analyzed instrumentally. The succulent and coarse feeds were highly nutritious, met the physiological needs, increased the milk yield, and improved its quality. The feeds provided a 2% increase in crude protein content, compared to the current state standard. They had 493.4 fiber and 376.4 g/kg fiber fractions, which raised the fat content to 4.26%. High-quality feed has a key impact on the quality indicators of raw milk and its composition. Vologda milk is rich in fat and protein, which makes it a valuable raw material. These parameters depend on the cows’ diet, health, and welfare. Vologda farms use balanced feeds to improve the sensory profile of milk. Advanced equipment and technologies guarantee high-quality raw milk and primary processing. Continuous monitoring of feeds and raw milk quality results in high-quality dairy products.