This study aimed to identify suitable predictors of nitrogen (N) use efficiency (NUE; milk N/N intake) for cows that differed in breeds and were fed with ryegrass pasture, using existing data from the scientific literature. Data from 16 studies were used to develop models based on the relationships between NUE and dietary and animal-based factors. Data from a further 10 studies were used for model validation. Milk urea N (MUN) and dietary water-soluble carbohydrate-to-crudeprotein ratio (WSC/CP) were the best and most practical animal- and diet-based proxies to predict NUE. The results indicate that it might be necessary to adopt separate models for different breeds when using WSC/CP to predict NUE but not when using MUN.

Milk consumption in China has experienced a rapid growth over the past few decades. This study explored milk consumption habits of older Chinese adult regular milk consumers, by investigating what, where, when, with whom, why, and how milk was consumed. This study (n = 1,000) was conducted in 5 cities in China (first tier: Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou; second tier: Chengdu and Shenyang) with participants balanced by sex and age groups (45-55 and 65-75 yr old). Given different economies, general dietary habits, and lifestyles, differences in milk consumption habits between cities were hypothesized. The results showed that almost all participants consumed cow milk, at home and by direct drinking. Most participants consumed milk during breakfast, with their family and for nutrition and health purposes. However, variations by city were found in what type of, what fat level of, what brand of, when and how milk was consumed. Multiple factor analysis showed that "what" variable differentiated cities between tiers and among the first-tier cities, and that "when" and "how" variables also separated the 2 second-tier cities and from the first-tier cities. Although variation in how milk was consumed was also observed between sexes and age groups, hierarchical cluster analysis revealed that the 4 clusters of milk consumption habits derived were mainly differentiated by city: Beijing and Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, and Shenyang. This study provides comprehensive insights into the milk consumption habits of older Chinese adults and highlights the significant heterogeneity in milk consumption habits in China by city.

China is experiencing severe population aging. Given that milks targeting older adults are one of the most popular foods designed for Chinese older adults (COA), this study investigated on-the-pack (OTP) voluntary well-being messaging (VWM, ways of communicating a product’s broad well-being benefits through information on food content or statements linked to favourable components, functions, or well-being outcomes) for milk targeting COA. Over 200 products identified from two sources (JD.com and Mintel’s global new products database), were analysed for type, content, and VWM frequency for different brand origins and milk sources of various animal species, nutrition claim regulation compliance and alignment with nutrition facts. The results suggested: (1) different brand origins (domestic vs. international) and milk source (cow vs. goat) highlighted different well-being aspects of products, (2) three products failed to comply with government regulations made for nutrition labelling of pre-packed foods (GB 28050-2011), but (3) excepting fat, all ‘contains’ claims and most ‘high’ claims did not reflect significantly greater levels of nutrients, compared to products with no claims. The findings create a comprehensive picture of OTP VWM for milks targeting older adults in China, providing useful information for consumer, domestic, and international dairy industries, and policymakers.

This study examines the price structure of milk powders targeting Chinese older adults, with special emphasis on the assessment of front-of-pack (FOP) voluntary well-being messaging (VWM), using a hedonic price model. Data of 456 sets of product prices and attributes were collected from official stores at online shops, TMALL.com and JD.com, in China. Prices were recorded 10 d before, during and 10 d after a major online promotion event (11th November 2021). A hedonic price model was employed to decompose explicit market prices into individual product attributes implicit prices, including essential attributes, milk source, brand origin, package material, nutritional composition, and non-essential attributes conveyed by FOP VWM, regarding nutrition, ingredient, health, sensory and certificate attributes. Results showed that above and beyond essential product attributes, non-essential attributes conveyed by FOP VWM were significantly associated with price. Specifically, significant price premiums were associated with dietary fiber claims (+12.7%), 'no added sugar' (+19.0%) and potential health benefits (+19.3%), as nutrition, ingredient and health-related FOP VWM respectively. However, nutrition claims regarding calcium and fat were negatively associated with price (-21.2% and -8.0%, respectively, when they were presented). Additionally, nutrition claims for protein and vitamin D, introducing farm environment, referring to imported ingredients, declaring specific ingredients added, describing sensory characterizes and providing certificates on FOP were not significantly associated with price in this market. These findings provide manufacturers with information to better differentiate their products by producing and advertising attributes most valued by consumers.