Content of free fatty acids, lipolytic bacteria and somatic cells in relation to milking technology

The contents of free fatty acids (FFA) and counts of total bacteria, psychrotrophic lipolytic bacteria (PLiBC) and somatic cells were determined in 150 samples of cow’s bulk raw milk on 20 farms with three different milking technologies in South Bohemia during 2008–10. FFA were determined using an extraction-titration method. Within the compared technologies, the highest mean values of FFA (3.88 mmol 100 g–1; P < 0.001) and PLiBC (696 CFU ml–1) were observed on farms with pipeline milking in stalls. The lowest mean FFA level (1.54 mmol 100 g–1) was determined on farms with an automatic milking system. Medium values were determined on farms with parlour milking.