Two or three consecutive low milkfat tests from the milk handler or from DHIA should be considered a problem. Also, check groups of cows whether the grouping is based on days in milk, production status, or another parameter. It is suggested that milk production be converted to a fat corrected basis to evaluate the energy output in milk. The producer with the lower fat test may sometimes get paid more for the milk produced depending upon the fat differential. However, in the long-term, more health related problems and decreased milk production may follow.
Nutrition plays a large role in affecting milk composition, but there are other factors involved.
They include milking equipment problems, improper handling of milk or milk samples, stage of lactation, season, genetics, and mastitis. Cows consume pounds, not percents. The minimum forage NDF intake as a percent of body-weight should be 0.85. The minimum total NDF intake as a percent of bodyweight should be 1.1 to 1.2. Lactating cows need a minimum amount of forage in the ration.