THE IMPACT OF FOOD COMPOSITION AND HYGIENE ON MILK COMPOSITION IN TWO DAIRY FARMS: A CASE STUDY IN LIVESTOCK ECOLOGY

The physicochemical and microbiological quality of cow's milk plays a central role in its nutritional value and suitability for processing.This study evaluated the influence of feeding practices and hygienic conditions on milk quality in two dairy farms in Kosovo.Fresh milk samples were collected over three months (January, March, and May 2023) and analysed for fat, protein, lactose, and ash content.Feed samples were examined for fat, protein, and ash according to ISO 19662:2018 and AOAC standards.Milk hygiene was assessed through total bacterial count (TBC) using the BactoScan method.Farm 2 demonstrated superior milk composition (4.65% fat, 4.66% protein, 4.76% lactose, 0.72% ash) compared with Farm 1 (4.25% fat, 4.20% protein, 4.60% lactose, 0.66% ash).Feed analysis likewise showed higher protein and fat levels in Farm 2. TBC results indicated that Farm 2 achieved "extra class" quality in two of three samples, whereas Farm 1 met this standard only once.These findings suggest that mixed, nutrient-rich feed and improved hygienic management contribute significantly to enhanced milk composition and microbiological quality.