engleski

Milkability of Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes

The aim of this study was to evaluate milkability of Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes and differences between crosses. Milkability was measured in early, mid and late lactation. Udder morphology was measured once in mid-lactation. Three milk flow types were observed in the study, milk flow with one peak, milk flow with two separated peaks and milk flow with peak flow rate below 0.4 kg/min. Milk flow with one peak was mainly observed in Istrian x Awassi x East Friesian ewe crosses. Milk production, milk yield, peak and average flow rate were highest in Istrian x Awassi x East Friesian ewe crosses. Udder volume and teat angle were largest, while teat length was smallest in Istrian x Awassi x East Friesian ewe crosses compared to Awassi x Istrian crosses. The increase in the udder volume with increasing parity was observed in all three crosses. On the contrary, the teat angle and teat size did not change. It can be assumed that through selection process only the udder volume with milking characteristics has changed, while no improvement in udder morphology toward milking machine was observed. To conclude, udder morphology measurements should be incorporated into the further selection of Istrian dairy crossbreed ewes. Adaptability of ewes for machine milking was observed in all three crosses. The highest milk production together with udder volume and milking characteristics was observed in Istrian x Awassi x East Friesian ewe crosses, although udder morphology was better in Istrian xAwassi crosses.

milkability; udder morphology; dairy ewes

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