Milk composition and its seasonal variation in Theni Malaimadu cattle under traditional management practices in Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction

Indigenous cattle breeds in India constitute a vital genetic resource, sustaining traditional farming and cultural practices. Theni Malaimadu cattle, native to the Theni district in Tamil Nadu, are particularly significant for their adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions and their roles in cultural events like rekla and jallikattu (Richard Jagatheesan et al., 2024) [4] . Despite this cultural and ecological importance, scientific information regarding their milk production and composition is scant due to their semi-wild temperament and traditional management practices that prioritize calf consumption over milking (Satheeshkumar et al., 2024a; Priyadharsini et al., 2024) [9,5] . Understanding milk yield and compositional characteristics in indigenous breeds like Theni Malaimadu is crucial for evaluating production potential, preserving genetic diversity, and planning sustainable breeding programs (FAO, 2013; Bernabucci et al., 2002) [2,1] . Studies in other native breeds, such as Gir and Sahiwal, have documented significant seasonal and lactation-stage variations in milk composition (Gajbhiye et al., 2019; Parmar et al., 2020) [3,7] . However, comparable data for Theni Malaimadu cattle under traditional conditions remain lacking (Satheeshkumar et al., 2024b) [10] . Additionally, concerns have arisen regarding declining indigenous bull populations and associated ecological, economic, and cultural implications, highlighting the importance of comprehensive studies on indigenous cattle populations (Satheeshkumar et al., 2024b) [10] . The socio-economic role of Theni Malaimadu cattle for local farmers further underscores the need for such research (Priyadharsini et al., 2024) [8] . The present study aimed to investigate the initial milk yield and milk compositional traits of Theni Malaimadu cattle across different seasons and lactation stages. Advanced statistical analyses, including PCA and discriminant analysis, were employed to characterize seasonal impacts and provide baseline data for breed conservation and selective breeding initiatives.

Materials and Methods

Study Area and Breed Context

The study was conducted in Theni district, Tamil Nadu, where Theni Malaimadu cattle are reared under semi-wild condition and extensive systems. The animals primarily serve purposes such as draught work, manure production, and cultural sports rather than dairy production (Satheeshkumar et al., 2024a) [4,[8][9][10] . Traditional management involves extensive grazing with minimal supplementation, and routine milking is uncommon due to the practice of reserving milk for calves (Priyadharsini et al., 2024) [8] .

Animal Selection and Sampling

Fifty-three lactating Theni Malaimadu cows were selected through local veterinary outreach and farmer engagement. Initial milk yield was measured immediately after parturition or within few days of post calving across four seasons: summer, winter, monsoon, and rainy. The same animals were followed where feasible across seasons, though practical limitations existed due to extensive management systems. For milk composition analysis, 30 cows were further selected based on accessibility and owner consent. From each cow, 50 ml milk samples were collected during early (pre), mid (middle), and late (post) lactation. Samples were transported under sterile conditions to the laboratory for analysis.

Milk Yield Measurement

Initial milk yield, recorded immediately or within few days of post-calving depending on the availability, was measured in liters using calibrated measuring equipment. This measurement represents early lactation only and does not reflect entire lactation yields due to minimal milking practices under traditional systems.

Analytical Procedures

Milk samples were analysed for fat, SNF, and protein content using an ultrasonic milk analyser (EKO model), calibrated before each session (Gajbhiye et al., 2019) [3] .

Statistical Analysis

Descriptive statistics (Mean ± SE) were calculated for all milk yield and composition data using SPSS (Version 21). Seasonal impacts on milk traits were evaluated using PCA to identify major sources of variability. Correlations between seasons were assessed, and discriminant analysis was applied to explore differentiation among seasons based on milk composition (Bernabucci et al., 2002) [1] . Ethical guidelines were strictly followed, with owner consent obtained for all sampling activities.

Results and Discussion

Milk Yield of Malaimadu cattle

The initial milk yield recorded in Theni Malaimadu cattle remained low across all seasons, confirming their traditional role as sporting animals rather than primary milk producers. As shown in Table 1, the mean initial milk yield varied only slightly between seasons, with the highest yield observed in winter (0.491±0.021 L) and the lowest in summer (0.443±0.022 L). The slightly higher yield during winter could be linked to better forage availability and reduced thermal stress, which is consistent with observations in other indigenous breeds where cooler seasons support improved energy balance and milk secretion (Bernabucci et al., 2002; Kabil et al., 2015) [1,6] . However, the overall milk yield remained below commercial dairy standards, reflecting the breed's primary role as a sports and manure production rather than a milk producer (Satheeshkumar et al., 2024a; Priyadharsini et al., 2024) [4,9,10,8] . 2). This trend aligns with earlier studies indicating that energy reserves stabilize in later lactation, allowing higher fat synthesis. The increase in fat in late lactation is likely due to reduced milk volume and energy mobilization (Jozwik et al., 2012) [5] . Comparable trends have been reported in Gir and Sahiwal breeds (Gajbhiye et al., 2019; Parmar et al., 2020) [3,7] . Solids-not-fat (SNF) levels remained quite stable across lactation, ranging between 8.28±0.04% and 8.33±0.04% (Table 2). Protein content also exhibited modest variation, increasing slightly from 3.46±0.13% in early lactation to 3.61±0.20% in late lactation. Such consistency in SNF and protein suggests that, although the quantity of milk is low, its compositional quality is comparable to other indigenous breeds (Singh, 2019) [11] .

Seasonal Variation and Multivariate Analysis

The relationship between seasons was explored through correlation and PCA, as summarized in Table 3 and Table 4. PCA results revealed that Dimension 1 explained 48.56% of the variability in milk parameters, with winter season exerting higher discrimination measures (0.818). Higher correlation between winter and rainy seasons suggests similar environmental influences such as cooler temperatures and greater forage availability. Such seasonal effects have been reported in other breeds, where winter milk generally shows higher fat and protein due to better feeding conditions and lower heat stress (Bernabucci et al., 2002; Kabil et al., 2015) [1,6] . However, interpretation of seasonal effects is constrained in this study due to small sample size and the breed's management practices, which limit consistent sampling across seasons.

Conclusion

This study offers the first detailed insights into the milk yield and composition of Theni Malaimadu cattle under traditional management systems. Despite low milk yields, the breed exhibits stable milk quality and resilience across all seasons, with fat content increasing notably in late lactation. Seasonal influences, particularly during winter, reflect subtle environmental effects rather than major effect, underscoring the breed's adaptability to diverse climatic conditions. These findings provide a valuable baseline for conservation and breeding programmes. Future work should explore genetic factors contributing to climate resilience and identify strategies to sustainably improve production while preserving the unique traits of this indigenous breed.

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