Environmental factors that influence milk production of Pantaneiro ewes and the weight gain of their lambs during the pre-weaning period

Abstract

The main objective of this research was to conduct an exploratory study of the lactation curve in order to characterize the productive potential of Pantaneiro ewes and lambs. Fifty ewes were bred using four rams in two different mating seasons. The ewes were kept with their lambs on pasture of Brachiaria brizantha. Ewe body score, ewe weight, and lamb weight were evaluated. Milk sampling was performed every week. In the morning for milk collections, the ewes were treated with 1 UI of oxytocin (intramuscular) for complete milking. Lambs were separated from the ewes for 4 h and milk collections were performed. The total milk production over 24 h was estimated by multiplying the production of this period (4 h) by 6. The data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure (P < 0.05) in SAS. Milk production data were fitted to the curve using the incomplete gamma function of Wood, and lamb growth data were fitted using the Gompertiz equation. The average milk production of the ewes was 1.03 kg/day. Younger ewes had the lowest milk production (18 = 798 ± 330, 24 = 1001 ± 440, 36 = 1100 ± 490, and 48 = 1106 ± 490 g/day). Ewe body score at lambing affected initial milk production (1.0 = 816 ± 660, 1.5 = 1089 ± 105, and 2.0 = 1424 ± 1600 g/day). Lambs were weaned with an average weight of 20.3 kg. Daily weight gain from birth to weaning was 181 g. Locally adapted Pantaneiro ewes showed a linear decreasing lactation curve, with reduced production from the second week of lactation. Overall, evaluation of the dairy production and lamb performance revealed great variation, denoting potential for selection.

Compendio de conservación y producción de recursos zoogenéticos locales: los ovinos Pantaneiro

“…El ovino Pantaneiro viene mostrando un desempeño satisfactorio en términos de producción de leche, sin embargo, su caracterización láctea es aún escasa. En este sentido, Longo et al (2018) trabajó con producción estimada para 24 horas de acumulación de 4 horas y calidad de leche de oveja y desempeño del cordero. Los corderos tuvieron un peso promedio al nacer de 3.76 kg, siendo el máximo observado de 4.81 kg y el mínimo de 2.00 kg (gemelos).…”

“…Los animales que tenían una mejor condición corporal al momento del parto tenían una mayor producción de leche y una mayor capacidad para mantener la curva de lactancia, lo que indica el potencial para seleccionar un linaje lechera dentro de los ovinos Pantaneiros (Longo et al, 2018). Los mismos autores observaron la producción de 0.5 kg a 1.3 kg de leche/día, demostrando que, aunque no son una raza especializada, las ovejas Pantaneiras producen una buena producción diaria de leche.…”

Identification, Superantigen Toxin Gene Profile and Antimicrobial Resistance of Staphylococci Isolated from Polish Primitive Sheep Breeds

“…Wrzosówka and Świniarka breeds are characterized by extremely high disease resistance, longevity, easy adaptation, resistance to difficult environmental and climatic conditions as well as low feeding and breeding requirements [ 14 , 15 ]. These features make them useful for the maintenance of local landscapes, the preservation of the natural environment, and care of nature-protected areas [ 14 , 16 , 17 ]. Sheep of these breeds are short in height and characterized by a marked sexual dimorphism and mixed two-fraction wool, which is grey in Wrzosówka and white in Świniarka.…”

Qualitative Characters of Indigenous Sheep in Central Brazil: Putting Phenotype into Perspective

“…At present, literature about Pantaneiro sheep suggests that the majority of herds are managed in public or private research corporations and universities. This has presented some opportunities for protecting indigenous genetic resources and has enabled on-farm conservation programs that can connect the different conservation units [12,13]. Still, it is unusual for farmers to invest much in local sheep farming in Brazil.…”

“…There is no doubt that several research outcomes have contributed to describing the performance of carcass and milk from Pantaneiro sheep [13,15,16]. This might put conservation strategies closer to market opportunities and prospects for regional development.…”