African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production

African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production ISSN: 2375-1258 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 135-140, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

An evaluation of technical efficiency among heterogeneous dairy farms

James Curtis¹*, Santos Jackson² and Vincent D. Kennedy³

¹Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79409, Texas, USA.

²Division of Marine Affairs and Policy, RSMAS, University of Miami, Miami 33149, Florida, USA.

³Department of Dairy Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706 Wisconsin, USA.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] 

Accepted 11 November, 2015

Abstract

An unbalanced panel data including 1,151 farm observations from 2004 to 2008 was used to analyze the determinants of technical efficiency (TE) for dairy farms in the State of Wisconsin. To account for farm heterogeneity in our analysis we implemented a two-step framework using a stochastic production frontier and a quantile regression analysis. The results show that the determinants of TE affected farmers with different levels of TE in a very specific ways. This outcome is of significant importance from an empirical point of view. Farmers could use this knowledge to find alternatives to improve their specific level of performance. Additionally, Policy makers could use this information to improve the effectiveness of their policies by targeting specific agricultural services and aid to group of farmers with similar levels of TE.

Key words: Dairy farm, technical efficiency, quantile regression approach.

African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production ISSN 2375-1258 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 109-112, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Analysis of microbial quality and safety of camel (Camelus dromedarius) milk chain and implications in Kenya

Matofari J. W.*, Shalo, P. L., Younan, M., Nanua, J. N., Adongo, A., Qabale and Misiko, B. N.

Food Science Department, Egerton University, Kenya

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 26 February, 2013

Abstract

The camel milk chain was investigated for microbial quality and safety and its implications to public health. At production, 66% of the samples had microbial load less than 10⁵ cfu/ml compared to 54% at bulking and marketing where the microbial load was over 10⁶ colony forming units (cfu)/ml. Gram-positive cocci (42%) were the majority at production. Gram-negative rods formed the majority (54%) at bulking and marketing. Salmonella spp. were detected at production and bulking levels. There was slow rate in acid development in camel milk decreasing total viable count at market level by 29% in 5 h.

Key words: Camel milk chain, microbial quality, safety, acid development.

African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production ISSN 2375-1258 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 104-108, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of storage time and temperature on raw milk composition of dairy cattle in tropical conditions

Vinsoun Millogo¹*, Mariétou Sissao¹, Alice Gisèle Sidibé/Anago² and Georges Anicet Ouédraogo¹

¹Department of Animal Production, Research Laboratory for Training in Animal Health and Biotechnology (LA.R.E.S.B.A), Institute of Rural Development, Polytechnic University of Bobo-Dioulasso, 01 PO. Box 1091, Bobo-Dioulasso 01, Burkina Faso.

²Department of Animal Production, Research Institute on Environment and Agriculture (IN.E.R.A), 04 PO. Box 8645 Ouagadougou 04, Burkina Faso.

E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 23 September, 2014

Abstract 

Storage milk before reaching processing unit is a difficult step in tropical conditions. Milk samples of 240 mL each were collected from 50 lactating cows from November 2010 to March 2011 and stored at room temperature and at +4°C in the refrigerator at consecutive hours. Milk composition was determined using infrared spectroscopy (FMA 2001, Miris AB, Sweden). The data were subjected to analysis of variance and the least square means were compared using Tukey test at p< 0.05. Raw milk fat and protein contents were higher in evening than morning milk (p< 0.05). Milk fat was 3.12 ± 0.08 and 3.73 ± 0.08 % during morning and evening, respectively. It was similar for protein content, 2.77 ± 0.02 % and 3.39 ± 0.02 %. After 24 h at room temperature (+28-30°C), milk fat significantly decreases to 3.08 ± 0.02 %. At +4°C, milk fat was 3.69 ± 0.08% after 24 and 3.68 ± 0.08 %after 120 h storage time. It was concluded that, cooling milk at room temperature is completely discarded after 24 hours. However, +4°C was adapted to cool milk during four (04) days without any significant damage.

Key words: Milk, composition, storage, temperature, time.

African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production Vol. 1 (4), pp. 072-078, November, 2013.© International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

The perceived impact of climate change and variability on smallholder dairy production in northern Malawi

Victor Kasulo¹*, Susan Chikagwa-Malunga², Mizeck Chagunda³ and David Roberts³

¹Department of Forestry, Mzuzu University, Private Bag 201, Luwinga, Mzuzu 2, Malawi.

²Lunyangwa Research Station, P. O. Box 59, Mzuzu, Malawi.

³Sustainable Livestock Systems Group, SAC Research, King’s Buildings, West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, Scotland, UK.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 265 888343494 or 265 111930812. Fax: +265 320568.

Accepted 21 August, 2013

Abstract

Farmers’ perception of climate change is very important for their adoption of adaptation strategies. This paper analyses dairy farmers’ perceptions of changes in rainfall patterns and its impact on dairy production in northern Malawi. Farmers’ perception was obtained through a survey and analysed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test and a multi-nominal regression model. The accuracy of farmers’ perceptions was assessed with reference to actual rainfall data in the study area. The results revealed that majority (40%) of the respondents perceived that the amount of rainfall that the area had received over the past five years had increased. However, this was not supported by actual rainfall data. The farmers were also of the view that an increase in the amount of rainfall led to an increase in pasture production, water availability and milk production. Results from the multi-nominal regression model showed a strong relationship between milk production on one hand and water availability, and pasture production on the other. The results imply that dairy farmers in the study area do not perceive climate variability as an immediate problem and highlight the need to sensitize them about the current and projected changes in climate, their vulnerability and adaptation strategies.

Key words: Climate change and variability, dairy production, Malawi, multi-nominal regression, perception.

African Journal of Dairy Farming and Milk Production Vol. 1 (1), pp. 008-011, August, 2013. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Contamination of informally marketed bovine milk with Staphylococcus aureus in urban and peri urban areas of Debre-Zeit, Ethiopia

Fanta Desissa¹*, Kohei Makita^2,3, Akafte Teklu¹ and Delia Grace²

¹Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Debre Zeit, Ethiopia.

²Improving Market Opportunities Theme, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), P. O. Box 30709, Nairobi,

Kenya.

³School of Veterinary Medicine, Rakuno Gakuen University, 069-8501, Ebetsu, Japan.  

 *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +2510911030412.

Accepted 8 March, 2013

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted from October, 2009 to March, 2010 to assess the level of contamination of informally marketed milk with Staphylococcus aureus at farms and milk collection centers in Debre-Zeit, Ethiopia. One hundred and seventy raw farm bulk milk samples, 25 mixed bulk milk samples and 20 pasteurized and packaged milk samples were collected from 14 milk collection centers and isolation and identification of S. aureus were carried out following standard method. S. aureus was isolated from 44% of farm bulk milk and 72% of milk collection centers’ bulk milk and it was not detected from pasteurized milk samples. Contamination rates of farm bulk milk with S. aureus were significantly different among the collection centers (c² = 31.8, df = 13, p = 0.003). The milk produced and collected in peri-urban areas was significantly more contaminated with S. aureus (64%) than milk produced and collected in urban areas (38%) (c² = 7.18, df = 1, p = 0.007). The frequency of isolation of S. aureus in milk collection centers bulk milk varied between 67 and 100% among collection centers. However, the contamination rates were not significantly different among these collection centers (c² =1.5, df = 4, p = 0.83). The overall contamination rate at collection centers (72%) was significantly higher than that at the farm level (33%, c² = 10.6, df = 1, p = 0.001). Overall, the study revealed that milk produced and collected in and around Debre-Zeit was found to be contaminated with S. aureus, raising the issue of quality control and improving the safety of milk to safeguard the consumer from associated health problems and enabling the producers to earn much more from milk sale.

Key words: Bulk milk, collection centers, Debre-Zeit, Ethiopia, Staphylococcus aureus.