The Effects of Crossing Balkan and Saanen Goat Breeds on Carcass Traits and Certain Quality Parameters of Kid MeatThe possibility for improvement of carcass traits and quality of kid meat of the autochthonous Balkan goat breed by crossing with Saanen breed was investigated in this study. The trial was carried out on one group of Balkan goat kids and three groups of kid crosses of Balkan and Saanen goats with different proportion of Saanen genes: 25, 50 and 75%. Each group had 16 male kids, which were slaughtered at the average body weight of 18 kg. With the increase in the proportion of Saanen genes, the age of kids that reached preslaughter weight decreased, the chilling loss increased and the proportion of fat tissue (kidney and pelvic fat) in the carcass side decreased (P≤0.05). The crossing also increased the proportion of carcass parts of the first category (leg and loin section), as well as muscle tissue in those parts. The highest proportion of muscle tissue in the thigh (74.91%) and loin section (75.66%) was determined in kids from the group with 75% of Saanen genes, and kids from this group also had the highest proportion of intramuscular fat (2.48%) in samples of m. longissimus dorsi. Slight differences between kid groups were established in indicators of technological meat properties, such as water binding capacity and tenderness, with the increase in the proportion of Saanen genes in the genotype. Sensory score for roasted meat was high, and scores for tenderness and juiciness were slightly higher in kid crosses with 50% and 75% of Saanen genes (P≤0.05). Results presented in this study confirm the positive effect of crossing the Saanen breed with the Balkan breed on carcass traits and for obtaining meat of more desirable quality.

Six variants of beef, mutton and goat sucuk without (B, M, G) and with (Bs, Ms, Gs) starter cultures were examined. Chemical composition, proteolytic changes, color and sensory quality were observed. Starter variants had greater (P < 0.05) weight loss (1.12–3.04%) and lower moisture content at production end (1.05–1.31%). pH reached minimum 4.80–4.91 (day 14) in variants with starters, while variants without starters 5.10–5.13 (day 30). Earlier disappearance of bands 100, 37–46 and 10 kDa was observed in sarcoplasmic protein pattern of starter variants. Starter cultures had no major effect on myofibrillar proteins. Starter variants had greater L* values (47.07, 49.28, 50.45 as opposed to 42.81, 42.92, 45.87) and b* values (except B/Bs – 9.62, 11.53, 10.48 as opposed to 8.54, 9.87, 9.02). Assessors noticed greatest influence of starters on color, texture and taste. Application of starters had positive effects. Goat meat and mutton can be used with slight recipe modifications. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Sucuk, dry‐fermented sausage, is very common in the Middle East, Middle Asia and Southeastern Europe, and is one of the three most widespread fermented sausages in Serbia. Manufacturing of sucuk varies regionally, but in general, sucuk recipes consist of beef and beef fat and/or sheep tail fat. Sheep and goat farming is traditional in some parts of Serbia, and during the past years it has been on the increase (in some other parts of the country as well) because of dairy products. It was deemed necessary to establish the possibility of use of other types of meat available in a certain area (not only in Serbia, but also worldwide). Furthermore, according to data in written sources, the use of starter cultures may contribute to safety and sensory quality of the product.

In this paper are described the most important stressors in intensive sheep production on farms and pastures. Stressors on farms and pastures mostly originate from adverse housing conditions, improper zootechnical procedures, veterinary procedures (treatment, vaccinations, blood tests, surgery), animal husbandry procedures (labeling, weaning, grouping, shearing, shortening the tail, hoof care), unsuitable weather conditions (extreme heat and cold) and insufficient nutrition. The paper puts out special emphasis on the consideration of period of life in which sheep were subjected to additional loads and susceptible to effects of these stressors, such as birth, juvenile period, puberty, oestrus, advanced pregnancy, parturition and the puerperal period. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR 31086 i br. TR 31053]

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In this paper the results of the analysis of the milk somatic cell count are presented, as well as correlation between the somatic cell count and content of certain chemical parameters in milk (milk proteins, fat, lactose and dry matter without fat) determined in collective samples of milk obtained from cows reared in intensive rearing system, during two production years. The research was carried out by control of collective milk samples from cows reared on family holdings. Somatic cell count, as well as the chemical quality of milk, were controlled daily in the laboratory for raw milk in dairy plant AD "Mlekara"-Subotica using the apparatus CombiFoss 6200 FC. In this investigation, statistically significant correlation (P<0,001) between all observed milk parameters was determined. Positive, weak and statistically highly significant correlation between the content of milk fat and proteins in milk and somatic cell count was established. It was also established that the variability of chemical parameters of milk and somatic cell count is also under the influence of different factors, such as: month of control, year of the research and farm.