Colour of Milk from Grass-fed Cattle

Grass-fed cattle yield milk of which colour?

Correct Answer: Yellow colour milk

Grass-fed cattle yield yellow-coloured milk because fresh green grass is very rich in β-carotene. Cattle cannot fully convert β-carotene to Vitamin A, so the excess carotene passes into the milk fat, giving it a distinct yellow colour.

Key Contrast

• Grass-fed cattle → Yellow milk (high β-carotene)
• Stall-fed cattle → White-yellowish milk (moderate carotene from stored feed)
• Buffalo → Pure white milk (complete carotene → Vitamin A conversion; zero residual carotene)

The Responsible Factor

The colour of milk fat = determined by its β-carotene (Carotene) content. Riboflavin is NOT responsible for yellow colour of milk fat (it causes the greenish-yellow colour of whey).