Productivity of local sheep and goat breeds in small farm households and their role in sustainability in central Serbia
2018
Cekic, B. | Ruzic-Muslic, D. | Maksimovic, N. | Caro Petrovic, V. | Zivkovic, V. | Marinkovic, M. | Cosic, I.
The area of central Serbia is very suitable for small ruminant production because of it’s hilly-mountainous landscape. From locally adapted sheep and goat breeds in this area pramenka (with its strains) and Balkan and Serbian white goat are present. These breeds differ by morphological, reproductive and productive traits. Common characteristics are very good adaptability to very harsh conditions, disease resistance, expressed maternal instinct and longevity. The highest values of live body weight (BW) for the lambs were found in the Lipa lambs (BW at birth 3.44 kg, BW after 30 days 11.79 kg, and BW at weaning 27.92 kg), and the Serbian white goat’s kids (BW at birth 2.56 kg, BW after 30 days 7,68 kg and BW at weaning 16.04 kg). The highest fertility indexes were observed in Svrljig strain (1.28) and the Balkan goat (1.51). The best milk parameters were determined with Lipa strain (lactation duration 139 days, total milk production 105.13 kg, proteins 5.84), except for the average content of milk fat, which was the highest in Svrljig strain (7.39). In goat milk control, Serbian white showed higher values (lactation duration 204 days, total milk production 401.27 kg, protein content 3.35), except for milk fat content, which was higher for Balkan goats (4.03). These breeds are irreplaceable in sustainable systems because they are evolutionary adapted to the conditions in which they are reared.
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