Abstract
The aim of the present study was to investigate sources of variation in bulk milk composition, somatic cell score, coagulation properties, and mineral content of Alpine Grey and Pinzgauer single-breed herds in the Italian alpine area. A total of 56,914 bulk milk samples from 461 farms located in the Bolzano province (Northeast Italy) were available for statistical analysis. Least squares means revealed that Pinzgauer herds produced milk with greater fat content and shorter rennet coagulation time than Alpine Grey herds, but the latter had greater milk protein content and lower somatic cell scores than Pinzgauer herds. The greatest content of Ca, protein, and casein and the most favorable coagulation properties were observed in milk sampled in autumn in both breeds. Results should serve to differentiate the milk of Alpine Grey cattle and Pinzgauer cattle from milk of other cattle breeds and thus provide necessary arguments for developing new production concepts that might expand future opportunities for further valorizing these local, dual-purpose breeds and therefore contribute long-term to their preservation.