Prediction Equations for Estimating 150 Days Milk Yield From Part Yields in Turkish Awassi Sheep

Abstract

This study was conducted to develop the prediction equations for 150 day milk yield on the cumulative part lactation milk yield records of Awassi sheep in the southeastern region of Turkey. In the study, a total of 145 sheep lambed during the 2007-2008 lambing year. Among the single monthly yields, the 3 rd month (R 2 = 0.836) was the best for 150 days prediction followed by 2 nd and 4 th month (R 2 = 0.756 and 0.659, respectively). Among the cumulative monthly yields, the TMY0 4 (R 2 = 0.982) was the best for 150 days prediction followed by TMY0 3 , TMY0 2 and TMY0 1 (R 2 = 0.926, 0.797 and 0.659, respectively). The phenotypic correlation was the highest between the LSV150 and TMY0 4 (r = 0.991) followed by TMY0 3 , TMY0 2 and TMY0 1 (0.962, 0.893 and 0.775, respectively). It was concluded that the total milk yield of the first three month after lambing could accuratly be used to predict the total lactation milk yield of Awassi sheep if there is lactation.