The Status of Efforts in Dairy Extension for Better Milk Quality in Slovakia

L. Dobrovic – State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

 
 

The quality of milk is at present a very important issue in Slovakia. This is derived from the fact that approximately 20 % of the total earnings in the field of Slovak agriculture are generated by sales of milk.
 

Characteristics of the principal framework determining the production of milk


Slovakia is a country with prevailing agricultural large scale production. This also applies to livestock production, although this industry has, after transformation of the political-economical system of the country, experienced dramatic changes reflected in the two main parameters linked to the production of milk, i.e. in the number of cows and in the milk yield of cows (see Fig. No.1).

Fig. 1: Review of number of milk cows in the Slovak Republic
Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

While the total number of cows in Slovakia was 524 644 in 1990, the number was reduced to 289 721 animals (55.2 %) by 1998. A positive feature of the decline was that the percentage of milk recorded cows has increased to 76.6 % by 1998.

The stock reduction was also manifest in the decreasing average number of cows per farm; the development of concentration in farms incorporated in the milk recording is documented by the next graph (Fig. No. 2), showing that the average number of cows per farm has dropped from 193 units in 1992 to 162 in 1998. Lowest concentration was recorded in 1997, followed by an increase in 1998.

Fig. 2: Development of average concentrations in farms within the milk recording in Slovakia
Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

The milk yield development of cows in controlled farms is shown in Fig. No. 3. At first the milk yield showed a gradual decline until its lowest point in 1992, („bottom") and despite the expressive reduction of number; this trend reversed in 1993, with the yields continuously growing until 1998. The year-to-year growth is characterised in the graph in Fig. No. 4, showing that the highest increase (+295 kg of milk) of milk yield appeared in 1998.
 
 

Fig. 3: Review of the milk yield of cows in farms within the milk recording in Slovakia between 1990 and 1998
Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic
 
 

Fig. 4: Annual growth of the milk yield (in kg of milk) of cows in farms within the milk recording in Slovakia
Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

Governmental measures taken in support of increased milk quality
The S.R. government, acting through the Ministry of Agriculture, continuously promotes improvements in the quality of milk. This support has been gradually amplified, using the following instruments:

1. Pricing policy. At present, Slovakia has fixed (guaranteed) prices in the first, second and third qualitative class of milk. Purchases of milk in the highest (Q) class of quality are subject to price agreements between the buyer and the seller, and thus may exceed the guaranteed level. In the first half of 1998, 43.5 % of all purchased milk was classified Q, Class 1 was represented with 43 %, Class 2 with 9.74 % and Class 3 with 1.34 %. Approximately 2.4 % of the milk was classified as unsuitable.

2. Direct and indirect subsidies

a. Direct governmental subsidization in the form of premiums for quality has been provided to milk producers in order to support the increase of the quality of milk sold up to a defined quota. A review of the total volume of such direct subsidies in the 1991 to 1997 period is shown in the next graph (Fig. No. 5), showing a year-to-year growth in the volume of subsidies.

Fig. 5: Review of S.R. governmental subsidies in support of milk quality improvement between 1991-1997
Source: S.R. Ministry of Agriculture

Fig. 6: Reviews of S.R. governmental subsidies in support of purchases of advanced equipment, technologies and reconstruction of production capacities between 1991-1997
Source: S.R. Ministry of Agriculture
  b. Indirect governmental subsidization is provided to milk producers in the form of support in the purchases of advanced milking equipment and technologies. A review of the total volume of indirect subsidies between 1991 and 1997 is shown in the graph in Fig. No. 6, also showing an annually growing trend of subsidization. In the period between 1992 and the end of 1997 approximately 300 new milking parlours were established in the country. 3. Tax and credit instruments
  a. The excise duty levied and collected on Diesel fuel is subsequently returned, amounting to approx. SK 0.30 per litre of milk sold.
b. Loans at reduced interest are provided from a state support fund. The total value of governmental support provided in the field of milk production is estimated at 28 - 32 % of the cost per litre of milk (as compared to 50 - 80 % in the European Union member countries). The year-to-year growth in the subsidization of the production of high-quality milk in Slovakia has been 10 to 15 %.
 

Quality evaluation

 At present the quality of milk is evaluated in Slovakia in accordance with the applicable STN technical standard. The requirements of this standard for the number of somatic cells in the milk are identical to those of the European Union guideline. The proposed parameters of quality in the amended STN "Raw Cow Milk", scheduled to supersede the recent standard as of April 1, 1999 the recent standard, are conform to the requirements of the EU guideline, as shown in the table 7.

Table 7: Proposed qualitative parameters in the amendment of STN 57 0529 - Raw Cow Milk
 

No. of somatic cells (thousands per ml)
Quality class
Q
I
up to 300
up to 400
 
Total number of micro-organisms (thousands per ml)
Qualitative class
Q
I
up to 50
up to 100
Source: Dairy Research Institute, j.s.c., Zilina

Table 7a: Comparison of S.R. - EU requirements for the number of somatic cells (in thousands per ml)
 

In force from
No. of somatic cells
Note
1994 EU max. 400 000, or other values*
max. 500 000, or other values**		 Guideline 92/46
ECE Council
1995 SR max. 300 000 in "Choice" class
max. 400 000, or other values**		 STN 57 0529
1998 EU max. 400 000, or other values Guideline 92/46
ECE Council
Notes: * Raw milk for production of heat treated consumer grade milk, fermented milk, milk with rennet added, milk coagulates, flavoured milks and creams
** Raw milk for production of other milk-based dairy products Table 7b: Comparison of S.R. - EU requirements for microbiological quality of milk (in maximum or specified values), expressed in total germ counts (000/ml)
 
In force
Qualitative class
from the year
Choice (Q)
I
II
III
1994 EU Max. 100 in the category* of milks, Supplement A, Chapter IV, Article A/1
Max. 400 in the category** of milks, Supplement A, Chapter IV, Article A/2
1995 S.R. 
50
100
300
800
1998 EU max. 100 in all milks
Similar conditions expected in the S.R. in line with classification for payments of max. prices

Notes:

  • * Raw milk for production of heat treated consumer grade milk, fermented milk, milk with rennet added, milk coagulates, flavoured milks and creams
  • ** Raw milk for production of other milk-based dairy products

    • Source: Dairy Research Institute, j.s.c., Zilina


    The quality of milk for price determination purposes is evaluated in 4 laboratories. Based on their results, the purchasers pay for the determined qualitative class of milk sold to the primary producers.
    Improvements in the quality are considerably assisted by the continuous monitoring of the number of somatic cells in milk, executed at the S.R. State Breeding Institute. Regular analyses are carried out individually at the central laboratory of the Institute, with samples from the majority of all cows included in the milk recording. The results are operatively distributed by fax to the farmers. A review of the number of milk samples taken, and of the numbers of analyses for somatic cells from 1994 to 1998 is shown in the graph in Fig. No. 9.



    Fig. 7: Review of total milk samples analyzed from cows within the milk recording in Slovakia in the 1994 – 1998 period
    Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

    Obviously, the number of milk samples analyzed for the presence of somatic cells is increasing, with a simultaneous slight decrease in the number of analyses for fat, protein and lactose contents in the milk recording.
    The percentage of analyses for somatic cell contents in the total number of milk samples analyzed at the Institute is shown in the graphs No. 9a, 9b, showing a gradual increase in the percentage of these analyses.

    Fig. 8a: Percentage of milk sample analyses for somatic cell contents in the total number of samples within the milk recording in Slovakia in the 1994 – 1998 period
    Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic
     
     

    Fig. 8b: Percentage of milk sample analyses for somatic cell contents in the total number of samples within the milk recording in Slovaks
    Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

    A review of qualitative analytical results on the number of somatic cells in milk within the milk recording between 1996 and 1998 is shown in the next graph No. 9c. The improvement in comparison with 1997 is obvious. Graph No. 9d shows a review of classification (by ranges of somatic cell contents) of individual milk samples from cows within the milk recording in Slovakia.

    Fig. 8c: Somatic cells (PSB) in individual milk samples from milk recorded cows 1996-1998
    Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

    Fig. 8d: Somatic cells (PSB) in individual milk samples from milk recorded cows 1998
    Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

    The central laboratory for analyses of milk of the S.R. State Breeding Institute is scheduled for accreditation in 1999. It is a participant of the international program of circular comparison tests, with the applicable review shown in the tables in Fig. 8, 8a. The Laboratory was also involved in four international circular comparison tests, organized in Kiel, Germany with the purpose of determination of the number of somatic cells in milk (its position in the test results is shown in the Table), as well as in four international circular comparison tests for fat and protein contents, organized by CECALAIT (France) of which the Laboratory is a full member.
     

    Table 8: International circular tests - Participation of the Central Laboratory of the S.R. State Breeding Institute
    BAM (Bundesanstalt für Milchforschung) Kiel -circular tests for somatic cells
     
     

    Test date
    Test type
    Locations
    No. of labs
    9.10.95 Circular Anadis test
    4
    		  
    10.3.96 International circular test
    20
    94
    11.3.97 International circular test
    27
    94
    16.3.98 International circular test
    19
    94

     

    Table 8a: CECALAIT - France circular tests for contents of fat, proteins, lactose
     
     

    Test date
    Test type
    Locations
    No. of labs
    March 96 Fats, %
    40
    52
      Proteins, %
    32
    52
    September 97 Fats, %
    43
    46
      Proteins, %
    30
    34
      Lactose, %
    23
    25
    March 98 Fats, %
    31
    38
      Proteins, %
    49
    62
    November 98 Fats, %
    Results not available
      Proteins, %
    Results not available
    Source: State Breeding Institute of the Slovak Republic

    From October 1, 1998 the S.R. State Breeding Institute commenced, by request of breeders, to analyze milk samples for contents of urea.
     

    Conclusion


    The information shown in the paper emphasizes the remarkable improvement in the quality of milk in Slovakia over the recent years, and the unrelenting care for its continuity, with the objective to meet all international requirements of quality of milk produced in Slovakia. In this respect we are confident of success in the near future.

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