Productivity and chemical composition of milk of East friesian ewes

• Published in: Mljekarstvo Vol. 54; no. 1; pp. 19 - 26
• Main Authors: Boro Mioč, Neven Antunac, Manuel Čičko, Vesna Pavić, Zdravko Barać, Velimir Sušić
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Croatian Dairy Union 01-01-2004
• Subjects: chemical composition; East Frisian ewes; lactation; milk
• ISSN: 0026-704X; 1846-4025

The aim of the research was to determine the milk production of EastFrisian ewes and the influence of lactation order on milk production,composition and total quantity of milk fat, proteins and lactose. For that purpose, milking ability controls were carried out in 438 ewes, out of which 190 were in the first, 131 in the second, 86 in the third, 10 in the fourth and 21 in the fifth lactation. The East Frisian ewes in the lactation period of 221 days produced an average of 364.65 kg of milk with 5.68% of fat, 4.92% of proteins and 4.59% of lactose. The total production of milk fat, proteins and lactose was 20.15; 17.66 and 14.57 kg, respectively. A significant (P<0.01) influence of the lactation order on the length of lactation, as well as on the average daily and total quantity of produced milk was determined. The greatest quantity of milk was produced in the fourth (513.50 kg), and the lowest in the first lactation (219.32 kg). The highest content of milk fat (5.93%); proteins (5.01%) and lactose (4.64%) were determined in the second and the lowest in the fifth lactation (5.2; 4.87 and 4.44%).