Study of ewe milk production in non-irrigated pastures
1999
Pereira, M. | Belo, C.C. | Ribeiro, J.F.
two groups of milk ewes were used in a non-irrigated pasture with different grazing pressures, that is, different grass availability. According to mean milk production per ewe in two distnct periods (partial milking and two milkings per day), initial groups were divided into three subgroups considering the same levels of production: low, medium, high. The evolution of milk production was studied in these subgroups, always having in mind different grass availabilities. The rotational grazing management used made it possible to maintain grass in its vegetable state longer, thus a consequent increase in its feeding potential. During the partial milking period, the group which grazed on pastures with greater DM availability (group 1) had greater milk production and these ewes were able to express a greater productive potential. During this period, ewes also presented a much lower milk fat content. This is believed to be due to its retention in alveolus milk. During the period of two milkings per day, pasture pressures were similar in both groups, thus milk production was not significantly different. However, grater milk potential ewes from the group of greater pasture pressure (group 2) had: significantly lower production when compared to ewes of the same level from group 1; a constant break in milk production and lower productive superiority in relation to the other subgroups from the same group
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