Page 18 - Dairy Dimension - Mar-Apr 2025

| Volume 1 | Issue 3 | Mar-Apr 2025 R&D SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS | Volume 1 | Issue 3 | Mar-Apr 2025

Impact of Whole Cottonseed By-product Bel Group and Standing Ovation
on Milk Fat in Dairy Cows Turn Cheese Waste into Sustainable Protein

A recent study led by researchers at Penn State has sources negatively affect the rumen environment, but French dairy company Bel Group has partnered with process for industrial use and explore its applications in
found that supplementing dairy cow diets with 15% cottonseed avoids this issue. biotech firm Standing Ovation to develop a various food products.
whole cottonseed — a byproduct of cotton fiber The study also addressed concerns about gossypol, a groundbreaking precision fermentation process that Caroline Sorlin of Bel Group emphasized that the
processing — significantly boosts milk fat content and pigment in cottonseed that can be toxic at high levels. converts acid whey — a waste by-product of cheese partnership merges Bel's cheese-making expertise with
yield, making it more suitable for butter and cheese Testing revealed gossypol levels were well below toxicity production — into casein, a vital milk protein. This Standing Ovation's innovation to create future-ready,
production. This is especially important given that, thresholds, and digestion analysis showed that less than innovation is aimed at reducing food waste and responsible, and accessible dairy products. Romain
although overall milk consumption in the U.S. has 3% of the cottonseed was undigested. improving sustainability in the dairy sector. Chayot, co-founder of Standing Ovation, highlighted that
declined, demand for high-fat dairy products like cheese Interestingly, despite other studies linking unsaturated Using its patented fermentation technology, Standing this technology enables manufacturers to reuse whey in
and butter has increased. fat supplementation to reduced methane emissions in Ovation extracts functional caseins from acid whey, a production, strengthening local supply chains and
Whole cottonseed is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and cows, this research did not observe changes in methane dairy effluent that typically goes underutilized. These addressing global food sovereignty concerns.
protein, both critical components for milk fat production. output. recovered proteins can be reintegrated into the food Standing Ovation CEO Yvan Chardonnens noted that
According to Kevin Harvatine, a professor of nutritional The research team included graduate students and production cycle, promoting a circular economy model acid whey contains minimal protein, but their
physiology and lead researcher, the shift in consumer faculty from Penn State's Department of Animal Science and reducing reliance on traditional dairy sourcing. fermentation process transforms it into a new,
demand has led dairy farmers to focus on increasing and received support from Cotton Incorporated and the The collaboration aligns with Bel Group's goals of sustainable protein source. He praised the partnership
milk fat, which is now a key factor in how they are USDA. eliminating edible waste, enhancing resource efficiency, with Bel as a reflection of shared values: innovation,
compensated. Over the past decade, selective breeding and advancing food sovereignty by promoting local circular economy, and sustainable food systems in
and cow management have raised average milk fat protein production. The companies plan to scale up the Europe and beyond.
content from 3.75% to 4.2%.
The study, published in the Journal of Dairy Science,
involved 16 multiparous cows (cows with at least two
lactations) over 21-day test periods. Those fed the
cottonseed-enriched diet produced milk with 0.2%
higher fat and 5% more total milk fat daily, with no
decrease in feed intake or changes in milk protein levels.

A key advantage of whole cottonseed is its slow release
of unsaturated fats in the cow's rumen, which minimizes
the risk of milk fat depression — a condition where fat
content in milk drops significantly. Most other fat

EDITORIAL FOCUS

Issue 4 | Publication Date: June 2025

· Empowering Farmers through Fintech
An exploration of how fintech innovations—such as digital payments, credit scoring, microinsurance, and
transparent milk payment systems—are reshaping financial inclusion and boosting incomes for dairy farmers.

· Smarter Dairy Supply Chains
Strategies and digital tools for building resilient, efficient dairy supply chains—from milk procurement and
cold chain logistics to last-mile delivery and inventory optimization.
· Future-Ready Dairy Packaging
Insights into the newest developments in dairy packaging that enhance safety, extend shelf life, support
sustainability, and respond to evolving consumer preferences.

To contribute write us at discover@dairydimenision.com

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