Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the correlation between climatic and milk composition variables. Thus, meteorological data and data on milk quality and composition (fat, protein, lactose, total solids content and defatted dry extract (DDE)) were used, as well as somatic cell count (SCC). The analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation test. After the study, it was verified that the temperature variations had a significant correlation with the fat, protein and total solids contents, as well as the temperature-humidity index (THI) also had correlation with lactose. In the analysis between the components, the correlations were between fat and protein, fat and total solids content, protein and total solids content, and lactose and fat. Moreover, SCC correlation with DDE and lactose were considered. The thermal comfort of dairy females has a direct influence on the quantity and quality of the final dairy product.

Key words: Dairy cattle, milk production, welfare.