Abstract: [Objective] The present study was conducted to evaluate the quality grade of fresh dairy milk in different regions of Inner Mongolia, and to compare the milk yield and quality of dairy cows between agricultural and pastoral areas as well as between large-scale farms and scatter-feed households. [Method] In October 2023, a total of 120 batches of fresh milk samples were collected from large-scale farms in Hohhot City, scatter-feed households in Hohhot City, dairy farms in Hulun Buir City, and dairy farms in Xilin Gol League, with 30 batches each. Production record information of the dairy cows was also collected. The milk composition （milk fat percentage, milk protein percentage, total solids content, non-fat milk solids content, lactose content）, somatic cell count and total bacterial count of the samples collected from different regions were tested, and the samples were subsequently subjected to the quality grade evaluation according to the Quality Grading of Raw Cow Milk （NY/T 4054-2021）. Statistical methods were used to compare the average individual milk yield and milk quality of dairy cows between agricultural area （Hohhot City） and pastoral area （Hulun Buir City and Xilin Gol League）, as well as between large-scale farms and scatter-feed households in Hohhot City. [Result] The milk fat percentage and total bacterial count （6.16%, 83.10×10⁴ CFU/mL) of the samples collected from Xilin Gol League were significantly （P<0.05） higher than those collected from Hohhot City （3.96%, 14.05×10⁴ CFU/mL） and Hulun Buir City （4.15%, 38.94×10⁴ CFU/mL）. The milk somatic cell count of the samples collected from Hulun Buir City （399 900 cells/mL） was significantly （P<0.05） higher than those collected from Xilin Gol League （181 800 cells/mL） and Hohhot City （183 500 cells/mL）. According to the Quality Grading of Raw Cow Milk, the milk samples collected from Hohhot City were determined as extra-premium grade, and those collected from Hulun Buir City and Xilin Gol League were both determined as premium grade. The dairy cows in agricultural area had significantly （P<0.05） higher average individual milk yield and milk lactose content （29.07 kg/d, 5.14%） than those in pastoral area （16.56 kg/d, 4.85%）. The milk fat percentage, somatic cell count and total bacterial count of the samples collected from pastoral area （4.88%, 483 900 cells/mL, 49.52×10⁴ CFU/mL) were significantly （P<0.05） higher than agricultural area （4.05%, 202 000 cells/mL, 13.99×10⁴ CFU/mL）. Significantly （P<0.05） higher average individual milk yield as well as milk non-fat milk solids content and lactose content were observed in the dairy cows in large-scale dairy farms （34.46 kg/d, 9.44%, 5.19%） compared with scatter-feed households （20.71 kg/d, 9.21%, 5.07%） in Hohhot City, while significantly （P<0.05) higher milk somatic cell count was observed in scatter-feed households （232 400 cells/mL） compared with large-scale dairy farms （160 400 cells/mL）. [Conclusion] The quality of fresh dairy milk in Hohhot City was better than that in Hulun Buir City and Xilin Gol League. Dairy cows in agricultural area had higher milk yield and better milk quality than those in pastoral area. The milk yield and quality of dairy cows in large-scale farms were superior to those in scatter-feed households.

Key words: Inner Mongolia, dairy cow, milk yield, milk quality, comparative study