Exploring factors associated with bulk tank milk urea nitrogen in Central Thailand

Abstract

Aim: The study was to determine seasonal fluctuations and non-nutritional factors associated with bulk tank milk urea nitrogen (BTMUN). Materials and Methods: A total of 58,364 BTM testing records were collected from 2364 farms in Central Thailand during September 2014-August 2015. Using square root BTMUN as the outcome, other milk components, farm effect, and sampling time were analyzed by univariable repeated measures linear regression, and significant variables were included in multivariable repeated measures linear regression. Results: The average BTMUN (standard deviation) was 4.71 (±1.16) mmol/L. In the final model, BTM fat and protein percentages were associated with BTMUN as quadratic and cubic polynomials, respectively. BTM lactose percentage and the natural logarithm of somatic cell counts were negatively linearly associated with BTMUN. At the farm level, the BTM lactose association was negatively linear; herd BTMUN decreased following an increase of herd lactose average, and BTM lactose slopes were quite different among farms as well. Sampling time had the highest potency for the estimation of BTMUN over time, with lows and highs occurring in August and October, respectively. The variation in test level BTMUN was decreased by 18.6% compared to the null model, and 6% of the variance could be explained at the farm level. Conclusion: The results clarify seasonal variation in BTMUN and the relationships among other BTM constituents and BTMUN, which may be useful for understanding how to manage lactating dairy cattle better to keep BTM constituents within normal ranges.