Invited review: Contribution of milk harvesting research to optimal interaction between biology and milking technology. By Upton et al., page 11713. This review explores how cow physiology and milking machine design interact to influence the efficiency and precision of mechanical milk harvesting. It covers recent advances in our understanding of milk ejection, milk flow profiles, and key machine settings such as vacuum, pulsation, and teatcup removal. The shift toward automated, quarter-level milking is highlighted, along with the integration of real-time sensor data and adaptive control systems.

The term “hepatic” should have read “plasma” in Figure 4, and “abundance” should have read “concentrations” in Figure 7 and Figure 8. The changes appear in bold alongside the figures below.

In Table 5, the SEM for milk component yields were incorrect. The correct SEM appear in bold below.

One model parameter in this article contained an incorrect description. The correct description appears with the model in boldface below.

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes.

Milk-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted increasing attention due to their involvement in regulation of biological processes. However, the degree to which these molecules are conserved in infant formulas remains unclear. Herein, a high-throughput small RNA sequencing was performed to reveal the profile of miRNAs from camel milk, buffalo milk, and commercial infant formulas. Compared with raw milk, infant formulas exhibited significant reductions in miRNA diversity and abundance. Camel and buffalo milk were enriched in development- and immune-related miRNAs, comprising let-7, miR-2887, miR-2904, and miR-1246, whereas formulas reserved limited subsets at lower levels.

Understanding individual differences in cows' preference for feed or feeding environment may be important for adjusting management practices to meet their needs, improving animal welfare, and the efficiency of the production system. Our objectives were to 1) evaluate cows' preferences for visiting feed bunks and 2) assess the effect of parity on feed intake and eating time patterns. Data from 10 feeding trials conducted between 2019 and 2023 at the University of Wisconsin–Madison were compiled and used for this retrospective study.

The dairy industry has relied on synthetic biology since the late 20th century, and its use is poised to expand as molecular biology techniques advance. As the utility of synthetic biology grows, it will play an increasingly central role in addressing the industry's evolving needs, such as protein expression, bioagent control, and meeting industry needs. This review explores various molecular approaches and strategies, focusing on recombinant technology and bacteriophage applications. Additionally, this manuscript examines the policy implications of adopting synthetic biology in dairy production, focusing on regulation, safety standards, consumer transparency, and industry acceptance.

Cornerstone is a semihard farmstead cheese with a natural rind that was developed as an “American original.” The production of Cornerstone cheese relies on the use of unpasteurized (raw) milk, natural milk starters, and the colonization and activity of adventitious microbes native to each farmstead operation. This study describes and compares the microbial community dynamics as well as the metabolites, volatile compounds, and sensory attributes of Cornerstone cheese produced at 3 different facilities.

Consumer demand for animal welfare is rising, leading to the use of welfare labels that emphasize enhanced conditions for farm animals. However, on the farmers' side, complying with these standards often requires extensive and burdensome documentation. Precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies can simplify the collection of animal welfare data, such as health, behavior, and environmental conditions, thus reducing the documentation burden and enhancing transparency. To investigate current practices in animal welfare data collection on dairy farms and evaluate farmers' willingness to share this data with relevant institutions, a survey among 269 dairy farmers in Germany was conducted between June and September 2024.

Coffee shops in the United States typically offer several options of dairy milk and plant-based milk alternatives (PBMA) for espresso-based beverages. Although previous studies have explored consumer preferences for dairy or PBMA in general, none have examined what drives their milk or PBMA choices specifically in the context of coffee shops. This study aimed to identify key decision drivers for the choice of milks in coffee, assess the role of lactose-free preferences, and explore whether offering lactose-free cow milk would increase coffee shop visits.

This study evaluated the effects of rumen-protected Schizochytrium powder (SP) on dynamics of lactation performance, plasma and milk fatty acids (FA) profiles, and transfer rate of DHA to milk in dairy cows. A total of 30 Holstein cows (181 ± 32 DIM; 29.0 ± 3.1 kg milk yield) were divided into 2 blocks based on milk yield and were then randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups (n = 10 cows per group): a control group (CON), an uncoated SP group (USP), and a coated SP group (CSP). The experiment comprised a 14-d adaptation phase, 21-d treatment phase, and 7-d washout period.

The calving period is one of the busiest times of the year in block-calving pasture-based dairy farm systems, and practices such as milking once a day (OAD) or 3 times every 2 d (3-in-2) are attractive options to reduce labor requirements during this period. In early lactation, the composition of milk can impair processability, so in many jurisdictions, there are legislative requirements to withhold colostrum from the milk supply. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of milking frequency on the efficiency of colostrum removal from the udder after calving.

The objectives of this study were to determine (1) the preference for, and acceptability of, a novel, fat-microencapsulated anionic salt by nonlactating dairy cows and (2) whether these responses were influenced by cow personality. Twenty-four pregnant Holstein dairy cows (parity at dry-off: median = 2; range = 1– 5) were enrolled at dry-off (56 d to calving), in cohorts of 6, and housed in a tiestall facility. After adapting to a base dry cow diet for 14 d, cows were exposed to each of 2 treatment diets in a crossover design (with 7-d periods): (1) base dry cow diet with added fat-microencapsulated anionic salt (ANIC) at 0.30 kg/cow/d DM (providing −2,544 mEq/d at that dosage; formulated DCAD = −101.5 mEq/kg of expected DMI), or (2) base dry cow diet with fat placebo (PLCB) at 0.15 kg/cow per day DM (formulated DCAD = +64 mEq/kg of expected DMI).

The development and lactation of the mammary gland are critical for the survival and growth of offspring in mammals. In particular, mammary development during puberty plays a pivotal role in establishing the ductal system for lifelong lactation performance. To investigate the role of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) in regulating mammary gland development during puberty, 5-mo-old ewe lambs (n = 96) were randomly assigned to either control group (basal diet) or an NCG group (basal diet + 2 g/d NCG) for 59 d.

Bovine respiratory disease is a major multifactorial health issue in calves. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of galacto-oligosaccharide supplementation, microbiota transfer, and their interaction on lung health and performance of calves. A total of 180 male Holstein-Friesian calves at 18 ± 3.6 d of age received 1 of 4 treatments according to a 2 × 2 factorial design for 8.5 wk (period 1). Calves received galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) via the milk replacer or not (CON) and received a microbiota transfer (MT) or not (MOCK).

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of sward system and dairy cow breed on enteric methane emissions from spring-calving grazing dairy systems using GreenFeed technology (C-lock Inc.). The study comprised 3 sward systems: a perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) monoculture receiving 250 kg N/ha per year (PRG), a perennial ryegrass white clover (Trifolium repens L.) sward receiving 125 kg N/ha per year (PRGWC), and a multispecies sward sown with grasses, legumes and herbs receiving 125 kg N/ha/yr (MSS).

Supplementation of lactating dairy cows with n-3 fatty acids (FA) has been shown to modulate inflammatory responses and improve reproductive function. Among the n-3 FA used in dairy diets, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3) is a substrate for the biosynthesis of oxylipins (OXL) with pro-resolving and anti-inflammatory functions. These OXL represent a well-documented mechanism by which n-3 supplementation modulates inflammatory responses. However, the magnitude of this response when known amounts of DHA are delivered postruminally remains unknown.