Abstract #T97
Section: Food Safety
Session: Food Safety
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Tuesday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Exhibit Hall B
Session: Food Safety
Format: Poster
Day/Time: Tuesday 7:30 AM–9:30 AM
Location: Exhibit Hall B
# T97
Iodine-127 levels in bulk milk on Ontario dairy farms and its association with groundwater, milking management, and other risk factors.
C. M. Rogerson*1, D. F. Kelton1, V. R. Osborne2, J. Levison3, S. M. Hamilton4, 1Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, 2Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, 3School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, 4Earth Resources and Geoscience Mapping Section, Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
Key Words: milk, iodine, dairy
Iodine-127 levels in bulk milk on Ontario dairy farms and its association with groundwater, milking management, and other risk factors.
C. M. Rogerson*1, D. F. Kelton1, V. R. Osborne2, J. Levison3, S. M. Hamilton4, 1Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, 2Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, 3School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, 4Earth Resources and Geoscience Mapping Section, Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, ON, Canada.
Several studies have investigated the associations between iodine content in milk and milking management practices and nutrition. Many reports have suggested that an increased milk iodine level is attributed to the use of iodine-based teat disinfectants and by the supplementation of iodine in rations. Little emphasis has been directed to investigating bulk milk iodine (BMI) levels in relation to the consumption of groundwater, which is known to contain varying levels of iodine naturally. The objectives of this study were (1) to determine the BMI content in milk sampled from 80 commercial dairy farms located in eastern (n = 58) and southwestern (n = 22) Ontario, and (2) to identify if the groundwater consumed by the lactating herd along with other factors are associated with higher BMI levels. The 80 participants completed a bilingual questionnaire that covered water consumption, nutrition, milking management practices, and well characteristics. The total iodine concentration (organic and inorganic) in milk and groundwater samples was established using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Independent variables of interest were screened and a linear regression model was fitted to assess multivariable associations between BMI levels and explanatory variables such as total iodine in groundwater samples, depth and age of well, water treatment, the use of an iodine-based disinfectants, and post-dip coverage goal. Results of the analysis suggest a strong correlation exists between the iodine content of groundwater in relation to BMI levels (P < 0.001). Post-milking practices including the use of an iodine-based teat disinfectant and overall coverage goal of the solution on teats were also significantly (P < 0.05) associated with increased BMI levels. These results suggest a significant association exists between BMI levels in relation to post-milking management practices and the iodine content in groundwater consumed by the lactating herd. Groundwater containing high levels of iodine that is used as a source of drinking water for dairy cattle should be treated to remove iodine and thereby prevent high BMI levels on farm.
Key Words: milk, iodine, dairy
