The Effects of Milking and Cleaning Procedures on the Quality and Microbiome of Raw Goat Milk

The rising popularity of raw goat milk has heightened concerns about its safety. This study examined how differences in milking and cleaning practices influence the quality and microbiota of goat milk from small-scale Oregon farms during July and August. Milk quality was assessed through somatic cell counts (SCCs) and components, while microbiota was evaluated using viable counts and 16S rRNA sequencing. Sequencing revealed a diverse microbial community, dominated by genera such as...