Feeding lactating Holstein cows a lipid source high in palmitic acid changes the fatty acid composition and thermal properties of lipids in milk and butter

The aim was to determine the effect of feeding either a low (121.2 g/kg of DM) or a high (793.1 g/kg of DM) palmitic acid supplemental fat to lactating Holstein cows on milk yield and composition and changes in thermal properties of the milk fat. There are numerous studies reporting the effect of dietary lipids high in palmitic acid on animal performance, but few reports determined the effect on the thermal properties of the milk fat produced. Cows fed the high palmitic diet showed increased (P