Prediction of Industry Production of Milk Components, Yields of Dairy Products and Lactose Deficit under the Current Breeding Objective of New Zealand Dairy Cattle

Abstract Text: The New Zealand dairy industry is pasture based and over 90% of milk products are exported. The breeding goal is to improve the capability of the cow to convert feed into farmer profit. The breeding objective rewards yields of protein and fat but penalizes milk volume and ignores lactose, despite it being an important component in milk powders. This study investigated the expected response to selection over the next 10 years and its impact on the annual industry production of milk, its components, and yields of dairy products based on expected cow performance, number of cows and a fixed area for dairying. After 10 years of selection (with no increase in herbage production), there was a 5% increase in milk production per hectare. Total milk exports increased by 5.9% and the lactose deficit increased by 14%.

Keywords:

lactose

breeding objective

milk processing