Food Science and Technology Vol. 14(1), pp. 1 - 10
DOI: 10.13189/fst.2026.140101
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Impact of Farm Hygiene Practices and Seasonal Variations on the Microbial Population of Raw Milk in Small-Scale Dairy Farms in the Istog Region of Kosovo

Xhavit Bytyçi ¹, Violeta Lajqi ^1,*, Nazmi Hasanaj ², Flutura C. Ajazi ¹, Sami Makolli ^1
1 Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, UBT-Higher Education Institution, Kosovo
² Faculty of Agribusiness, University of "Haxhi Zeka", KLA, 30000 Peja, Kosovo

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the microbial quality of raw cow milk in relation to seasonal variation and on-farm hygiene practices across 102 small-scale dairy farms in the Istog region of Kosovo. In total, 1,574 bulk tank milk samples were collected over one year and analyzed using 3M^™ Petrifilm^™ Aerobic Count Plates to determine total aerobic colony counts (CFU/mL). Monthly mean counts ranged from 1.26 × 10^⁵ CFU/mL in December to 2.84 × 10^⁵ CFU/mL in January, with an overall annual mean of 1.99 × 10^⁵ ± 0.86 × 10^⁵ CFU/mL. The Kruskal–Wallis test showed significant differences among months (p < 0.001), while seasonal effects were not significant (p = 0.586), despite higher values in summer and autumn. Across farms, CFU/mL ranged from 2.0 × 10^³ to 1.0 × 10^⁶ (p < 0.001), indicating large inter-farm differences associated with udder hygiene, equipment sanitation, and milk cooling practices. Regular udder disinfection, thorough milking machine cleaning, and immediate milk cooling to ≤ 4℃ are cost-effective priorities to improve milk safety and the economic sustainability of smallholder dairy farms.

KEYWORDS
Raw Milk, Bacteria, Hygiene Practices, Seasonal Variations, Farm Management

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Xhavit Bytyçi , Violeta Lajqi , Nazmi Hasanaj , Flutura C. Ajazi , Sami Makolli , "Impact of Farm Hygiene Practices and Seasonal Variations on the Microbial Population of Raw Milk in Small-Scale Dairy Farms in the Istog Region of Kosovo," Food Science and Technology, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 1 - 10, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/fst.2026.140101.

(b). APA Format:
Xhavit Bytyçi , Violeta Lajqi , Nazmi Hasanaj , Flutura C. Ajazi , Sami Makolli (2026). Impact of Farm Hygiene Practices and Seasonal Variations on the Microbial Population of Raw Milk in Small-Scale Dairy Farms in the Istog Region of Kosovo. Food Science and Technology, 14(1), 1 - 10. DOI: 10.13189/fst.2026.140101.