Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania

Charles Mpemba; Selemani Masola; Edwin Chang’a; Lokoo Mwaipopo; Mwemezi Kabululu; Wilson Wilson; Eliamon Lyatuu

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11

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Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania

Charles Mpemba^*

, Selemani Masola

, Edwin Chang’a, Lokoo Mwaipopo

, Mwemezi Kabululu

, Wilson Wilson

, Eliamon Lyatuu

Published in International Journal of Animal Science and Technology (Volume 10, Issue 4)

Received: 6 July 2026 Accepted: 22 July 2026 Published: 29 October 2026

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Abstract

Seasonal variations in environmental conditions and forage availability can substantially influence milk composition and udder health, yet information from dairy production systems in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of season on physicochemical milk quality parameters and somatic cell count (SCC) in Friesian crossbred cows managed under a semi-intensive production system at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) Uyole Dairy Farm. A total of 640 milk samples were collected from 20 cows during the rainy and dry seasons of 2024 and analyzed using an ultrasonic Lactoscan milk analyzer. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the effect of season while accounting for repeated measurements on individual cows. Milk fat content and freezing point were significantly higher during the dry season, whereas electrical conductivity and log-transformed SCC were significantly higher during the rainy season, indicating poorer udder health and reduced milk hygiene during periods of increased moisture. Protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat contents did not differ significantly between seasons. These findings demonstrate that seasonal environmental conditions substantially influence milk quality and udder health in semi-intensive dairy systems and highlight the importance of season-specific management strategies to improve milk quality and reduce the risk of subclinical mastitis in tropical dairy production.

Published in	International Journal of Animal Science and Technology (Volume 10, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11
Page(s)	94-102
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Milk Quality, Somatic Cell, Seasonal, Mastitis, Tanzania

References

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APA Style

Mpemba, C., Masola, S., Chang’a, E., Mwaipopo, L., Kabululu, M., et al. (2026). Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania. International Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 10(4), 94-102. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11

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ACS Style

Mpemba, C.; Masola, S.; Chang’a, E.; Mwaipopo, L.; Kabululu, M., et al. Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania. Int. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2026, 10(4), 94-102. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11

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AMA Style

Mpemba C, Masola S, Chang’a E, Mwaipopo L, Kabululu M, et al. Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania. Int J Anim Sci Technol. 2026;10(4):94-102. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11,
  author = {Charles Mpemba and Selemani Masola and Edwin Chang’a and Lokoo Mwaipopo and Mwemezi Kabululu and Wilson Wilson and Eliamon Lyatuu},
  title = {Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Animal Science and Technology},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {94-102},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijast.20261004.11},
  abstract = {Seasonal variations in environmental conditions and forage availability can substantially influence milk composition and udder health, yet information from dairy production systems in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of season on physicochemical milk quality parameters and somatic cell count (SCC) in Friesian crossbred cows managed under a semi-intensive production system at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) Uyole Dairy Farm. A total of 640 milk samples were collected from 20 cows during the rainy and dry seasons of 2024 and analyzed using an ultrasonic Lactoscan milk analyzer. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the effect of season while accounting for repeated measurements on individual cows. Milk fat content and freezing point were significantly higher during the dry season, whereas electrical conductivity and log-transformed SCC were significantly higher during the rainy season, indicating poorer udder health and reduced milk hygiene during periods of increased moisture. Protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat contents did not differ significantly between seasons. These findings demonstrate that seasonal environmental conditions substantially influence milk quality and udder health in semi-intensive dairy systems and highlight the importance of season-specific management strategies to improve milk quality and reduce the risk of subclinical mastitis in tropical dairy production.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania
AU  - Charles Mpemba
AU  - Selemani Masola
AU  - Edwin Chang’a
AU  - Lokoo Mwaipopo
AU  - Mwemezi Kabululu
AU  - Wilson Wilson
AU  - Eliamon Lyatuu
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11
T2  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
SP  - 94
EP  - 102
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1312
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11
AB  - Seasonal variations in environmental conditions and forage availability can substantially influence milk composition and udder health, yet information from dairy production systems in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of season on physicochemical milk quality parameters and somatic cell count (SCC) in Friesian crossbred cows managed under a semi-intensive production system at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) Uyole Dairy Farm. A total of 640 milk samples were collected from 20 cows during the rainy and dry seasons of 2024 and analyzed using an ultrasonic Lactoscan milk analyzer. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the effect of season while accounting for repeated measurements on individual cows. Milk fat content and freezing point were significantly higher during the dry season, whereas electrical conductivity and log-transformed SCC were significantly higher during the rainy season, indicating poorer udder health and reduced milk hygiene during periods of increased moisture. Protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat contents did not differ significantly between seasons. These findings demonstrate that seasonal environmental conditions substantially influence milk quality and udder health in semi-intensive dairy systems and highlight the importance of season-specific management strategies to improve milk quality and reduce the risk of subclinical mastitis in tropical dairy production.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

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Author Information

Charles Mpemba

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, Mbeya, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0004-2456-7439
Selemani Masola

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, Mbeya, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0001-3602-7462
Edwin Chang’a

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, Mbeya, Tanzania

Contact Email
Lokoo Mwaipopo

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, Mbeya, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-5653-5452
Mwemezi Kabululu

Tanzania Livestock Research Institute, Mpwapwa, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8621-9411
Wilson Wilson

The Nelson Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology, Arusha, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8020-7188
Eliamon Lyatuu

International Livestock Research Institute, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9909-2117

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APA Style

Mpemba, C., Masola, S., Chang’a, E., Mwaipopo, L., Kabululu, M., et al. (2026). Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania. International Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 10(4), 94-102. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11

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ACS Style

Mpemba, C.; Masola, S.; Chang’a, E.; Mwaipopo, L.; Kabululu, M., et al. Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania. Int. J. Anim. Sci. Technol. 2026, 10(4), 94-102. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11

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AMA Style

Mpemba C, Masola S, Chang’a E, Mwaipopo L, Kabululu M, et al. Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania. Int J Anim Sci Technol. 2026;10(4):94-102. doi: 10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11,
  author = {Charles Mpemba and Selemani Masola and Edwin Chang’a and Lokoo Mwaipopo and Mwemezi Kabululu and Wilson Wilson and Eliamon Lyatuu},
  title = {Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania},
  journal = {International Journal of Animal Science and Technology},
  volume = {10},
  number = {4},
  pages = {94-102},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijast.20261004.11},
  abstract = {Seasonal variations in environmental conditions and forage availability can substantially influence milk composition and udder health, yet information from dairy production systems in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of season on physicochemical milk quality parameters and somatic cell count (SCC) in Friesian crossbred cows managed under a semi-intensive production system at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) Uyole Dairy Farm. A total of 640 milk samples were collected from 20 cows during the rainy and dry seasons of 2024 and analyzed using an ultrasonic Lactoscan milk analyzer. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the effect of season while accounting for repeated measurements on individual cows. Milk fat content and freezing point were significantly higher during the dry season, whereas electrical conductivity and log-transformed SCC were significantly higher during the rainy season, indicating poorer udder health and reduced milk hygiene during periods of increased moisture. Protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat contents did not differ significantly between seasons. These findings demonstrate that seasonal environmental conditions substantially influence milk quality and udder health in semi-intensive dairy systems and highlight the importance of season-specific management strategies to improve milk quality and reduce the risk of subclinical mastitis in tropical dairy production.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Seasonal Variation in Milk Quality and Somatic Cell Count of Friesian Crossbred Cows in Southern Highlands, Tanzania
AU  - Charles Mpemba
AU  - Selemani Masola
AU  - Edwin Chang’a
AU  - Lokoo Mwaipopo
AU  - Mwemezi Kabululu
AU  - Wilson Wilson
AU  - Eliamon Lyatuu
Y1  - 2026/10/29
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11
T2  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JF  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
JO  - International Journal of Animal Science and Technology
SP  - 94
EP  - 102
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2640-1312
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijast.20261004.11
AB  - Seasonal variations in environmental conditions and forage availability can substantially influence milk composition and udder health, yet information from dairy production systems in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of season on physicochemical milk quality parameters and somatic cell count (SCC) in Friesian crossbred cows managed under a semi-intensive production system at the Tanzania Livestock Research Institute (TALIRI) Uyole Dairy Farm. A total of 640 milk samples were collected from 20 cows during the rainy and dry seasons of 2024 and analyzed using an ultrasonic Lactoscan milk analyzer. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the effect of season while accounting for repeated measurements on individual cows. Milk fat content and freezing point were significantly higher during the dry season, whereas electrical conductivity and log-transformed SCC were significantly higher during the rainy season, indicating poorer udder health and reduced milk hygiene during periods of increased moisture. Protein, lactose, and solids-not-fat contents did not differ significantly between seasons. These findings demonstrate that seasonal environmental conditions substantially influence milk quality and udder health in semi-intensive dairy systems and highlight the importance of season-specific management strategies to improve milk quality and reduce the risk of subclinical mastitis in tropical dairy production.
VL  - 10
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download