Monitoring Milk Urea Level and Feed Ration as a Potential Tool for Milk Quality

Milk quality appreciation parameters are not determined in Tunisia yet. Indeed, the variety of herds used, breeding systems and climatic conditions show a big variety of milk composition. The present study aims to quantify milk urea level from different Tunisian regions. Milk yields were recorded at each milking from the tank. In total 310 samples were analyzed. The experiment covered 29 smallholders with different farming system and herd’s constancy, 08 collection centers, 13 milk peddlers and 05 typical dairy farms with an appropriate rationing. The urea level for all analyzed samples was 306 (12) mg/l. This level varied between 140 mg/l and 507 mg/l, with an average of 290 (84) mg/l, for smallholders. In dairy farms, the mean milk urea concentration was 305 (39) mg/l, urea value varied between 287 mg/l and 343 mg/l. In collection center and milk peddlers, average of milk urea was respectively 317 (81) and 313 (112). Height standard deviation value for smallholders and peddlers milk samples indicates changes in nutritional management, larger herd size and water supplementation. Milk urea level varies with production and farming systems. Monitoring milk urea values provides a practical way to control milk quality and dietary protein efficiency of dairy cows.