1. Introduction to Dairy Science 230724

FOOD90012 Current Issues in Dairy Science

Subject Overview

  • Aim: Introduce students to current knowledge and latest research in dairy foods.

  • Topics include:

    • Dairy animals and milk production

    • Milk chemistry

    • Milk microbiology

    • Probiotics and prebiotics in dairy

    • Milk processing technology

    • Contaminants in milk

    • Dairy foods: milk fat, milk protein, and fermented dairy

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • Understand fundamental aspects of milk and dairy food production:

    • Dairy cattle genetics

    • Reproduction and nutrition

  • Understand chemistry, biochemistry, and biological activities of milk and its components.

  • Grasp structure-function relationships in major dairy products.

  • Familiarity with the role of milk components as ingredients in non-dairy foods.

Suggested Reading

  • Roginski, H. (2002). Encyclopedia of Dairy Sciences. Academic Press.

    • Link available on Canvas

Timetable

  • 1 x 2-hour lecture (Monday)

    • Time: 12 pm to 2 pm

    • Location: PAR-184-L1-127-Harold Woodruff Theatre

  • 3-hour seminar session (Wednesday) from Week 4 to Week 11

    • Location TBD

Assessment Description

  • Written Assignment (1500 words)

    • Timing: 2 weeks for completion (Week 4 to Week 11)

    • Weight: 30%

  • Oral Presentation (8 minutes) based on the written assignment

    • Timing: 2 weeks for completion (Seminars during Weeks 4 to 11)

    • Weight: 20%

  • Examination (2 hours)

    • Timing: End of semester

    • Weight: 50%

Assignment Topics

  • Examples include:

    1. Dairy industry in different countries

    2. Nutritional characteristics of specific milk types (e.g., yak milk)

    3. Climate change strategies in dairy farming

    4. Evaluation of milk lipids composition

    5. Issues related to Staphylococcus aureus in dairy products

End-of-Semester Exam Structure

  • Part 1: 90 minutes, 60 multiple-choice questions

  • Part 2: 30 minutes, 6-9 short answer questions

Academic Language Skills

  • The University Academic Language Skills Unit provides support for Food Science students through weekly English classes.

    • Free, no additional assessment required, running for 10 weeks

Lecture Aims

  • First lecture:

    1. Overview of the global dairy industry, focusing on Australia

    2. Dairy farming, milk and dairy food production, and industry challenges and trends

Overview of the Dairy Industry in Australia

  • Major rural industry, ranks third in Australia:

    • Employs approximately 33,500 individuals

    • Milk production: ~8.5 billion liters, generating $6.1 billion (2022-23)

    • Exports about 30% of production, worth $3.3 billion (2022-23)

    • Exports include cheese, butter, ultra-heat treated milk, and milk powders

Milk Production Regions in Australia

  • Major milk production occurs in:

    • South-eastern Victoria

    • New South Wales

    • Tasmania

Key Players in the Dairy Industry

  • Largest dairy companies by revenue (FY 2021):

    1. Nestlé (Switzerland) - $26.7 billion

    2. Lactalis (France) - $21.3 billion

    3. Danone (France) - $20.9 billion

    4. Dairy Farmers of America (USA) - $19.3 billion

    5. Yili Group (China) - $18.2 billion

    6. Fonterra (New Zealand) - $14.8 billion

    7. Mengniu Dairy (China) - $13.7 billion

    8. FrieslandCampina (Netherlands) - $13.6 billion

    9. Arla Foods (Denmark) - $13.3 billion

    10. Saputo Inc. (Canada) - $12 billion

Australian-owned Dairy Manufacturers

  • Examples include:

    • Bega Cheese

    • Bulla Dairy Foods

    • Beston Global Food Company

    • Norco Co-operative

    • Australian Consolidated Milk

    • Union Dairy Company

Dairy Farming Overview

  • Dairy farming has been integral to agriculture for thousands of years.

  • Dairy cows efficiently convert pasture, forage, and feed into milk.

Breeds of Dairy Cattle

  • Bos Taurus:

    • Origin: Europe/Asia

    • Characteristics: Thick body, various coat colors (e.g., Holstein, Jersey)

  • Bos Indicus:

    • Origin: South Asia

    • Characteristics: Distinct hump, large dewlaps (e.g., Gir, Sahiwal)

Animal Welfare in Dairy Farming

  • Critical for productivity and financial stability.

  • Australian Dairy Industry emphasizes high standards of animal health.

  • Practices guide animal welfare:

    • Euthanasia, cow-calf separation, managing surplus calves, and pain relief during procedures.

Global Cow Milk Production Ranking (2020)

  1. United States: 101 MMT

  2. India: 93.5 MMT

  3. China: 35 MMT

  4. Brazil: 34.2 MMT

  5. Germany: 32.5 MMT

  6. Russia: 30.3 MMT

  7. France: 25 MMT

  8. New Zealand: 21.9 MMT

  9. Turkey: 20.7 MMT

  10. United Kingdom: 15.2 MMT

  • Australia: 9.2 MMT (Ranked 15th)

Lactation Cycle in Dairy Cows

  • Traditional cycle includes:

    • Dry period

    • Mid-lactation, early and late stages

Milk Composition

  • Major components:

    • Water: 86%

    • Lipid: 4%

    • Protein: 3.5%

    • Lactose: 5%

  • Nutritional significance, including vitamins and minerals.

  • Different species have varied nutritional profiles.

Milk Fat Globule Membrane (MFGM)

  • Structure: multilayer, enriching the milk's functional properties.

  • Benefits: Enhances lipid digestion, cognitive development, and gut health.

MFGM in Infancy and Health

  • Influences infant gut microbiome and metabolome.

  • Significant differences observed between breastfed and formula-fed infants regarding gut bacteria composition and metabolites.

MFGM and Muscle Strength

  • Clinical trials show MFGM supplementation can improve muscle strength in adults through regular exercise.

Dairy Industry Challenges

  • Citing environmental issues and emissions related to dairy farming:

    • Low carbon footprint of Australian dairy

    • Goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030

Mitigation Strategies

  • Diet reformulation and feed additives (e.g., 3-NOP) being explored to reduce methane emissions.

  • Importance of context-specific mitigation strategies for varying dairy farm circumstances.

Climate Impact on Dairy Industry

  • Effects on livestock health and pasture productivity due to changing climate conditions.

Dairy Industry Trends

  • Innovations driven by evolving consumer demands, including probiotic, fortified, and reduced-sugar dairy products.

Take Home Messages

  • Overview of industry size and key players.

  • Understand dairy farming cycles and milk production processes.

  • Awareness of composition, structure, and industry challenges.

  • Knowledge of dairy food product development and trends towards Dairy Industry 4.0.