The Yield and Composition of Milk in Sarda, Awassi, and Merino Sheep Milked Unilaterally at Different Frequencies

Abstract

Sarda (n = 8), Awassi (n = 8), and Merino (n = 8) ewes were subjected unilaterally to once-daily milking (ODM) or twice daily milking (TDM) to test the hypothesis that the two breeds highly selected for milk production (Sarda and Awassi) would not respond as much to a change in the frequency of milking as the Merino, a wool sheep that has not been selected for dairy production. Milk composition and somatic cell count (SCC) were also assessed to determine if the changes in milking frequency affected milk quality. Milk yield was 24% and 18% lower in ODM udder halves than TDM udder halves in Sarda and Awassi breeds, respectively. The yield loss due to ODM was similar to that observed in Merino ewes (23%) and did not support our hypothesis. Fat content did not differ significantly in any breeds between ODM and TDM udder halves. Protein content was higher in the milk of ODM than TDM udder halves in Sarda and Merino ewes. The SCC was influenced by milking treatment only in the Sarda ewes, with high values observed in the milk of ODM udder halves. The same trend was observed in the Awassi and Merino breeds, but the differences were not significant. The effects on milk yield, composition, and SCC caused by ODM were completely reversed when TDM was resumed. This suggests that in sheep flocks the milk yield losses due to short-time suppression of one daily milking, for example, on festive days, are low and temporary.

Produção, composição e rendimento em queijo do leite de ovelhas Santa Inês tratadas com ocitocina

“…O teor de gordura leite de ovelha varia de 4,00 a 9,00%, o de teor de sólidos totais de 16,7 a 19,70% e o de sólidos totais desengordurados de 10,33 a 12,68% (Ochoa-Cordero et al, 2002;Jandal, 1996;Kremer et al, 1996;Simos et al, 1996;Hassan, 1995;Boujenane & Lairini, 1992;Peeters et al, 1992;Bencini & Purvis, 1990;Mann, 1988). As porcentagens de gordura, sólidos totais e de sólidos desengordurados observada neste estudo estão dentro do intervalo descrito na literatura.…”

“…A composição média do leite de ovelha é de 7,6% de gordura, 5,6% de proteína, 19,0% de sólidos totais, 10,3% de sólidos desengordurados, 4,7% de lactose e 4,6% de caseína (Sevi et al, 2004;Silva, 2003;Nudda et al, 2002;Zamiri et al, 2001;Jandal, 1996, Bencini & Purvis, 1990. Essa característica lhe confere a capacidade de ser transformado em produtos láteos de alta qualidade com altos rendimentos por litro de leite (Bencini & Pulina, 1997).…”

Use of milk epithelial cells to study regulation of cell activity and apoptosis during once-daily milking in goats

“…However, adoption of this practice is hindered by the loss of milk yield that occurs when a farmer switches from twice-daily milking (TDM) to ODM. The loss of milk yield varies from 15% to 30% in small ruminants (Nudda et al, 2002;Marnet and Komara, 2008). Milk yield declines when the number of mammary epithelial cells (MECs) and/or their synthetic activity decreases (Stelwagen, 2001;Capuco et al, 2003).…”

Production, composition and processing of milk from ewes fed soybean seeds

“…It is noteworthy that the milk from the 1/2 Lacaune × 1/2 Ile de France crossbred of this experiment displayed a lower fat content (5.03 g/100 g of milk) than that commonly found in the milk from dairy breeds such as Lacaune and Sarda, which may contain up to 7.68 and 6.72 g/100 g of milk, respectively (Nudda et al, 2002).…”