Water content in milk

Started by Dorchestercheese, June 17, 2018, 12:00:43 PM

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Dorchestercheese

Does the water content in milk change between seasons?

Kern

Sure in a minor sort of way.  Let's say that a milk contains 12% solids.  Half this (Jersey Cows) is fat because the it's spring and the cows have been eating grass.  So, the fat content is 6%.  Now it's fall and the fat content drops to 5% so the total solids drop to 11%.  The grand total still has to be 100% so the water content increases to make up for the drop in the fat content.  Got it?

River Bottom Farm

It can also change daily depending on how hot it is because a cow will drink more water and lay around more (eat less) on hot days so generally if a cow is on pasture you will have more water and less solids during the summer compared to winter.