Milk sheep quality variations during lactation in grazing and confined reared ewes
2007
Pistoia, A. Poli, P. Casarosa, L. Balestri, G.; Ferruzzi, G., Università di Pisa (Italy). DAGA, Sezione Scienze Zootecniche
The present study aims to investigate the effects of different sheep rearing techniques on the milk qualitative variation. The trial involved 2 groups of 10 ewes, half of them primiparous, reared by two different techniques: (i) grazing system group with concentrate integration 0.6 kg per kg of milk; and (ii) confined rearing group with hay "ad libitum" and the same quantity of concentrates. Milk yield and quality have been controlled monthly by collecting individual milk samples, which have been analysed in their physical, chemical and technological characteristics. The confined ewes produced a higher milk quantity during the whole lactation period (163 days). Chemical milk characteristics resulted better in the grazing group, because of the higher values of fat, protein and casein percentage, while the milk of confined ewes was more acid. The higher acidity values for milk of the confined group determined a better rennet clotting time "r", while the grazing group produced a harder curd firmness "a30", 30 min after rennet addition. The outlines of qualitative parameters during lactation were similar in the two groups: the chemical characteristics improved during lactation, while the curdling aptitude was better in the intermediate period
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Instituto Agronómico Mediterráneo de Zaragoza