Alimentazione degli animali, costi di produzione e qualità del latte e della mozzarella in un allevamento bufalino biologico e in uno convenzionale

The feeding management and milk yield were investigated in two buffalo farms located in southern Italy, one organic (on average, 220 lactating buffalo cows) and one conventional (on average, 314 lactating buffalo cows). The study lasted from January to December 2007. Milk yield was higher in conventional farm. The greatest differences for milk components were found for fat and urea contents and somatic cell count. Organic milk and mozzarella cheese showed higher LNA, CLA and TVA contents. Unit milk production costs were also computed. Organic milk costs are higher than the conventional one (14.2%) due, mainly, to higher feeding costs. Milk market price fully remunerates the conventional product while it under-remunerates the organic one.