Breeding holds the key for improved milk composition

Milk plays an important role in diets around the world and is used to produce a wide range of dairy products. For dairy processors, the composition of milk, including fat and protein content, is just as important as the volume produced. Higher milk solids improve processing performance and support the production of products such as cheese, yoghurt and butter, while also contributing to nutritional value for consumers.

While many dairy systems have traditionally focused on increasing milk yield, milk composition has received less attention. However, genetics plays a key role in determining the levels of butterfat and protein in milk. By selecting cows with the right genetic traits, dairy farmers can gradually improve both the quantity and the quality of milk produced while supporting a more balanced and resilient dairy industry.

Breeding data improves milk composition

A data-driven approach to milk composition Danish breeding organisation VikingGenetics integrates milk composition and animal health traits into its breeding programmes. Based on decades of performance and health data from Nordic dairy herds, advanced genetic evaluations and the Nordic Total Merit (NTM) index are used to select cows with strong milk component levels, good fertility and long productive lifetimes. Cows with strong health and fertility are less prone to disease and require fewer treatments, supporting production systems with lower use of antibiotics and hormones.

Farm experiences from different parts of the world illustrate how targeted breeding can influence milk composition. On a commercial dairy farm in Croatia, the use of VikingGenetics breeding strategies increased butterfat levels by 0.3 percentage points over three years, reaching an average of 4.6% fat and 3.5% protein. In Australia, dairy herds using VikingRed and VikingJersey genetics have achieved milk composition levels averaging 4.88% fat and 3.82% protein.

Improved milk composition benefits the entire dairy value chain, from more consistent processing to healthier cows and higher-quality food

Strengthening milk quality across the value chain

These examples demonstrate how data-driven breeding can improve milk composition in practical farm settings. By selecting genetics with documented performance, dairy farmers can gradually increase milk solids while maintaining healthy, productive and resilient herds. This benefits the entire dairy value chain by providing more consistent raw materials for processing and supporting the production of safer, high-quality food for consumers.