can cows being in heat cause off-flavors?

[Guest guest]

After reading the Troubleshooting milk flavor problems guide from PennState, and finding out our cows were NOT getting kelp free-choice yet (just what was added to their feed ration, which was only about half what they should get each day) I have another question about the off-flavor our cowshare herd's milk had last week. Could it be from them being in heat? Or at least partly from that. They were in heat early last week, right before and during the time we had this milk flavor issue. When I read that off-flavors can come from what the cows smell, I thought about pheramones. Also, the cows have been kept in the loafing area at night lately when it's cold and rainy, which it was during this time, and my thoughts are that could concentrate the barn smell they would breathe.

Another note, the smell, which some people described as "fishy" but which I always thought of more as "barny" or "cowy" seems to disipate over time. The jars I have that had this smell and taste last Thursday don't smell that way to me any more when checked just a few minutes ago. I'm wondering if this is an indication of a absorbed smell, if those can disipate.

BTW, thanks for all the input from everyone on this issue! I learn a lot from you all.

Sally