This study evaluated the impact of agroecological(“regenerative”)practices on milk nutritional quality and soil health in a sample of U.S.North Central dairy systems.Five dairy farms employing rotational grazing and...This study evaluated the impact of agroecological(“regenerative”)practices on milk nutritional quality and soil health in a sample of U.S.North Central dairy systems.Five dairy farms employing rotational grazing and diverse forage feeding were compared to a conventional total mixed ration(C-TMR)control.Milk and forage were analyzed for fatty acids by gas chromatography and for phytonutrients by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Soil indicators included total organic carbon(SOC),microbial mass,fungito-bacteria ratio,and organic-to-inorganic nitrogen ratio.Milk from regenerative farms contained higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids:eicosapentaenoic acid(C20:5n3)was 122-144%higher in regen farms 1 and 4,and docosapentaenoic acid(C22:5n3)was 800-1000%higher in regen farms 1,3,and 4 versus the control.Forages averaged 217%more alpha-linolenic acid(C18:3n3),whereas the control feed contained 148%more linoleic acid(C18:2n6).Milk from regenerative farms was also enriched in phytonutrients including p-cresol sulfate(117%),hippuric acid(49.5%),and catechol(48.5%).Cluster analysis highlighted farm-level variation in compounds such as formononetin(20.6%higher)and genkwanin(225%higher).Soils from regenerative farm 1,which had the most plant diversity,showed elevated SOC(up to 420 mg/kg)and a balanced nitrogen ratio(1.0).Overall,regenerative practices—including rotational grazing and diverse forage feeding—appeared to enhance milk omega-3 fatty acid and phytonutrient profiles,alongside improved soil health indicators.Further research is needed to assess long-term impacts across a broader range of farms.展开更多
基金funded by Understanding Ag,LLC.The funders had no influence on the scientific interpretation of findingssupport from USDA-NIFA-SARE(2020-38640-31521,2021-38640-34714)+3 种基金USDA-ARS(USDA-2022-58-3064-2-007)the Greenacres Foundationthe Turner Institute of Ecoagriculture,Perdue Foods LLCthe Bionutrient Institute for(co-funded)projects that link agricultural production systems—animal and cropping systems—to the nutritional/metabolite composition of animal and plant foods.
文摘This study evaluated the impact of agroecological(“regenerative”)practices on milk nutritional quality and soil health in a sample of U.S.North Central dairy systems.Five dairy farms employing rotational grazing and diverse forage feeding were compared to a conventional total mixed ration(C-TMR)control.Milk and forage were analyzed for fatty acids by gas chromatography and for phytonutrients by high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.Soil indicators included total organic carbon(SOC),microbial mass,fungito-bacteria ratio,and organic-to-inorganic nitrogen ratio.Milk from regenerative farms contained higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids:eicosapentaenoic acid(C20:5n3)was 122-144%higher in regen farms 1 and 4,and docosapentaenoic acid(C22:5n3)was 800-1000%higher in regen farms 1,3,and 4 versus the control.Forages averaged 217%more alpha-linolenic acid(C18:3n3),whereas the control feed contained 148%more linoleic acid(C18:2n6).Milk from regenerative farms was also enriched in phytonutrients including p-cresol sulfate(117%),hippuric acid(49.5%),and catechol(48.5%).Cluster analysis highlighted farm-level variation in compounds such as formononetin(20.6%higher)and genkwanin(225%higher).Soils from regenerative farm 1,which had the most plant diversity,showed elevated SOC(up to 420 mg/kg)and a balanced nitrogen ratio(1.0).Overall,regenerative practices—including rotational grazing and diverse forage feeding—appeared to enhance milk omega-3 fatty acid and phytonutrient profiles,alongside improved soil health indicators.Further research is needed to assess long-term impacts across a broader range of farms.
