The effect of different management systems on milk yield and milk quality in Awassi sheep

Abstract

Abstract. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of concentrate-based feeding (CF) and artificial pasture-based grazing (APG) management systems on milk yield, fatty acids, nutritional indices, and milk physicochemical characteristics of Awassi ewes. The research involved 300 heads of Awassi ewes, which were divided into two groups. Awassi sheep were managed in a CF and APG system to test the milk yield characteristics. The results showed a significant (P<0.01) difference in milk yield and lactation length between CF and APG management systems of ewes. The average daily milk yield showed a nonsignificant difference for both management systems, and no significant changes (P>0.05) in the chemical composition of CF and APG management systems were observed. Palmitic (C16:0), myristic (C14:0), stearic (C18:0) capric (C10:0), and lauric (C12:0) acids were the major saturated fatty acids found in milk from both management systems. The level of linoleic acid (C18:2 n-6) was significantly different in both treatments (P<0.05), but the linolenic (C18:3 n-3) acid level was nonsignificant in milk from the CF and APG management systems. The hypocholesterolemic / hypercholesterolemic (h / H) fatty acid and thrombogenicity (TI) ratios were significantly different (P<0.05); however, the atherogenicity (AI) had no significant difference between confined and grazing systems. In conclusion, it can be said that the lactation length and lactation milk yield were prolonged by the APG management system, though the milk composition and quality were not significantly affected.

Effects of Feeding Management System on Milk Production and Milk Quality from Sheep of the Turcana Breed

“…Furthermore, comparing our values with those obtained by other researchers who applied different feeding systems, similar values can be found regarding the increase in milk production depending on the applied feeding system [ 16 , 28 ]. Variations in milk production are influenced not only by breed, but also by other factors such as the feeding system, climatic conditions, and reproductive management.…”

“…In the case of our study, the values recorded in the milk samples from sheep in group A were 4.28–4.89 log 10 cells/mL, and those from sheep in group B were 4.48–4.97 log 10 cells/mL. Comparing the values obtained in our study with those presented in other studies, we can find that the values were higher than 2.05–2.04 log 10 cells/mL [ 16 ] and 3.271–3.288 log 10 cells/mL [ 5 ], comparable to 4.89 log 10 cells/mL [ 37 ], and lower than 5.98–5.95 log 10 cells/mL [ 38 ]. The content of SCC in milk samples is directly influenced by the observance and application of milking hygiene rules, breed, and other factors.…”

“…Representative studies have been carried out on sheep’s milk to evaluate chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and microbiological composition [ 1 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], as well as the content of trace elements and heavy metals [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Moreover, studies have been carried out to capture the effects of other factors on the quantitative and qualitative production of sheep milk, e.g., the effects of the lactation stage and the reproduction period [ 13 , 14 , 15 ], and the influence of exploitation management at the level of farms and micro-farms, namely, the growing and feeding systems, which can improve milk quality [ 5 , 12 , 16 ].…”

The investigation of SNP in SOCS2 gene and its effect on milk yield, fat, protein, and somatic cell count in Awassi ewes

“…The sheep milk production and milk quality depend on number of factors like management of animals, superior genetics, hygienic environment, pasture condition (Ceyhan et al, 2022). The udder infections lead to decreased milk yield in affected animals and decreased quality of milk products due to the mixing of the milk obtained from sick animals with healthy milk, resulting in signi cant losses for both the enterprise and the national economy (Aytekin and Boztepe 2014; Gabrielli et al, 2015).…”

The influence of different stress factors on the production and quality of sheep milk

“…Temperatures outside the thermoneutral zone can lead to physiological changes and have a negative impact on livestock production (Sejian et al, 2018). Sheep milk production is very demanding and the amount of milk produced and its chemical composition are influenced by a variety of factors, the most important of which are breed (Antunac and Lukač Havranek, 1999;Mioč et al, 2004;Marques et al, 2011), feeding (Ceyhan et al, 2022;Caraba and Caraba, 2023), age of the sheep and lactation order (Gabiña et al, 1993;Libis-Márta et al, 2021), stage of lactation (Antunac et al, 2001;Pavić et al, 2002.; De La Fuente at al., 2009), season (Timlin et al, 2021;Li et al, 2022), physical development and condition (Caraba and Caraba, 2023;Simeonov et al, 2023), housing system (Sevi et al, 1999;Casamassima et al, 2001), milking (Mačuhová et al, 2020;Massouras et al, 2023), etc. and their interactions (De La Fuente at al., 2009; Kawecka et al, 2020; Kasapidou et al, 2021.).…”