Effects of Non-Genetic Factors on Daily Milk Production in Awassi Breed of Sheep in Macedonia

Abstract

SUMMARYSeveral basic -fixed factors on daily milk yield have been examined in total of 132 Awassi breed sheep, during two -year production period (2011 and 2012). The examination includes the following factors: lactation number, lactation type, date of milk recording, number of newborn lambs, month or year of milk recording and length of suckling period. Their influence on individual milk yield measured in morning, afternoon and evening milking, total daily milk yield and percentage of milk fat has been examined. A total of 904 lactation tests in sheep, aged from first to eight lactation were included in the research. All data were analyzed using a multi-factorial fixed model.The influence of certain factors was studied using the F-test. Analyzes were made using the SSPS set of programs. Most of the factors (number of lactation, date of milk recording, month or year of milk recording and length of suckling period), except the number of newborn lambs or fertility, had a highly significant influence (P<0.01) on daily milk production (milk from the morning, afternoon and evening and total amount of milk, as well as % of milk fat) in examined breed of sheep. Highest daily milk production was determined among sheep in sixth lactation and lowest among those in eighth lactation. On the other hand, the highest percentage of milk fat was determined among sheep in seventh lactation and the lowest among those in second lactation.Three types of lactation curve were identified in examined sheep of which most abundant is the one with one peak. These data suggest that the Awassi breed, as breed with high milk production, retains the level of high and standard milk production to an older age, which is a prerequisite for profitable and sustainable livestock production.

Effects of Non-Genetic Factors on Daily Milk Production in Awassi Breed of Sheep in Macedonia

“…The second one is that the typemodel for genetic evaluations, which is based on milk yield of separate milking during the test day, has not yet been discussed in literature. Pacinovski et al (2014) determined significant influence of month of milk test on above mentioned traits (morning, afternoon and evening milk) in Awassi sheep and similar results obtained Alkass et al, (2008) in Awassi sheep in Iraq. More detailed studies and gathering more information will be necessary in future to compare with the model of daily milk yield, as correlations and genetic relations between individual measurements of milk production during the test day.…”

“…The limited number of sheep in flock would require inclusion of as many heads and similar data for all lactations, in order to achieve higher accuracy in the process of evaluation. Pacinovski et al (2014) also found significant influence of lactation on above mentioned traits (morning, afternoon and evening milk) in Awassi breed of sheep.…”

“…The maintenance of constant and stable rate of milk fat during lactation characterizes these sheep as quite suitable for production of dairy products with a constant quality. Pacinovski et al (2014) also found significant influence of number of milk test on above mentioned traits (morning, afternoon and evening milk) in Awassi breed of sheep.…”

“…Unlike these examinations, Pacinovski et al (2014) determined significant influence of number of newborn lambs on some of above mentioned traits (evening and total amount of milk, total amount of fat), but on other traits (morning, afternoon milk), this factor had no influence at all.…”

Productivity of milk and milk composition of an indigenous sheep breed in Macedonia

“…5). A highly significant influence of this factor on daily milk production was also determined in another survey in Awassi sheep (Pacinovski et al, 2014).…”