Thirteen genotypes of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) were compared with the local variety for structural carbohydrates and in vitro digestibility. Neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, lignin, and acid insoluble ash varied 31.2 to 44.4, 26.1 to 37.4, 6.8 to 11.1, and .30 to 1.11%. Cellulose varied from 16.6 to 28.1% whereas hemicellulose content ranged between 3.6 and 9.2%. In vitro digestibility of dry matter ranged between 62.8 to 71.2% Variation in protein, mineral matter, and percentage of dry matter was from 12.7 to 19.7, 9.4 to 12.3, and 23.0 to 26.7. Neutral detergent fiber and lignin plus silica were correlated negatively with in vitro digestibility of dry matter. A genetic manipulation of breeding material can bring about a highly nutritive genotype of guar.

This research was carried out to determine milk yield and milk quality parameters of Awassi sheep raised under semi-intensive conditions in Harran University Experimental Animal Research and Application Center. In the study, 2 and 3 years old, 46 heads of Awassi sheep were used as animal material. The care and feeding of the ewes were made in a way that the Animal Research and Application Center routinely applied. Average daily milk yield in Awassi sheep was determined as 1002.82±52.57 g. Lactation milk yield and lactation period were calculated as 168.10±8.44 kg and 166.10±2.11 days, respectively. In the study, the overall mean fat, protein, lactose and dry matter ratios were determined. % 6.27±0.10; 5.12±0.05; 4.81±0.05 and 17.44 ± 0.13 respectively. Somatic cell count and pH values in Awassi sheep milk were determined as 207.56±21.29 cell/ml and 6.29±0.03 respectively. L*, a* and b* values in sheep milk were determined as 72.69±0.16; -6.11±0.04 and 6.92±0.08. respectively. It was determined that the amount of butyric acid (C4:0), which is one of the short-chain fatty acids, was higher than the values reported for sheep milk in all groups examined in the study. As a result, it has been determined that there is a wide variation in milk yield in Awassi sheep. A rapid genetic improvement may be achieved by utilizing this variation.

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This study was carried out to determine the effect of different industrial by-products (pistachio, pomegranate, and olive) as alternative feed sources for sheep. Fifty-two Awassi sheep aged 3 and 4 years were divided into four groups (n=13 per group) concerning age, birth type, milk yield, and lactation period: basal diet without byproducts (CON) and basal diet added with either pistachio shell (PIS), pomegranate hull (POM), or olive pulp (OP). By-products were mixed with the total ration at a rate of 5% and given in the morning and evening feedings. The feeding experiment was continued for 60 days. Milk yield, milk quality, feed consumption, and biochemical parameters such as urea, creatine, triglyceride, total bilirubin, and albumin were determined at 30-day intervals from the beginning of the study. Tukey multiple comparison test was used to compare the research groups. There was no treatment effect on feed consumption. The highest milk yield was measured in sheep fed the POM diet in all periods (the first, second, and third-period means were 1143±111, 967±127, and 785±112 gr, respectively). Milk yield for other groups was similar. At the end of the study, the fat ratio in the CON, PIS, POM, and OP groups were determined to be 6.11±0.30%, 6.25±0.36%, 5.61±0.42%, and 5.97±0.48%, respectively. Protein values were determined as 6.34±0.16%, 6.26%±0.27%, 6.06%±0.23%, and 6.39±0.19% in the same order. There was no statistically significant difference between CON, PIS, POM, and OP groups regarding biochemical parameters. In conclusion, sheep ration can contain PIS, POM, and OP up to 5% as alternative feed sources.

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