Influence of altitude, forage quality and grazing-related effects on milk yield and milk quality of cows kept in the eastern Swiss Alps
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The effects of altitude, alpine forage quality and alpine pasture conditions on milk yield and composition, as well as on plasmin activity and rennet coagulation properties, were distinguished in two experiments with a total of 36 cows. One experiment was carried out indoors with standardized hay diets, the other experiment investigated real pasture conditions. All investigated components of alpine sojourn resulted in metabolic stress, and impaired milk protein and cheese making properties. Forage quality and altitude per se had a partially additive influence. Milk fat content was increased by altitude sojourn only in one of the experiments. Plasmin and plasminogen-derived activity were reduced by alpine grazing.