A comparison of alternatives of milk recording schemes for dairy sheep

J Wojtowski,P Slósarz,A Gut,K Molinski

doi:10.5194/aab-44-297-2001

Abstract

Abstract. A total of 307 lactations of ewes from synthetic line (13/16 East Friesian Milk Sheep, 3/16 Polish sheep breeds) were invesstigated. Ewes were milked after weaning, starting on the 60th day of lactation, for the period of our months. Milk recording was conducted using the A30 scheme during the morning and afternoon milkings. Twenty one simplified milk recording schemes were investigated, taking into account the data from 4 or 6 control milkings, and estimating the differences between milk production, protein and fat contents on the basis of the simplified and the A30 methods. The accuracy of the methods to estimate milk (protein, fat) yields was verified using the pairwise test. Among the tested 4-measurement methods, the most useful – in terms of the accuracy of milk, protein and fat yield estimations – were models, in which milk recording is conducted once a month, only in the morning or afternoon. The application of such methods does not result in the deterioration of accuracy of milk recording for sheep and makes it possible to lower the costs connected with recording by approximately 50 %.

Highlights

In many countries with a high Standard of sheep breeding, profits gained from sheep milk are second only to the revenue from the sale of slaughter lambs We are witnessmg the same trend in Poland, where there is an increasing interest in this type of production as an alternative source of income in sheep breeding, especially among breeders in the lowland regions of our country (WÖJTOWSKI et al, 1999)
WÖJTOWSKI et al.: A comparison of alternatives of milk recording schemes for dairy sheep results and a good selection programme have contributed to a considerable increase in the milk yields in the European Union countries of the Mediterranean region (BARILLET et al, 1996)
This study showed the feasibility of simplifying the Standard milk recording scheme in the work on the creation of a synthetic line of sheep with a high percentage (13/16) ofthe Friesian sheep genotype

Summary

Introduction

In many countries with a high Standard of sheep breeding, profits gained from sheep milk are second only to the revenue from the sale of slaughter lambs We are witnessmg the same trend in Poland, where there is an increasing interest in this type of production as an alternative source of income in sheep breeding, especially among breeders in the lowland regions of our country (WÖJTOWSKI et al, 1999). A significant factor affecting the Standard of production in case of milking sheep is the adequate development of milk recording schemes (GUT et ai., 1999). WÖJTOWSKI et al.: A comparison of alternatives of milk recording schemes for dairy sheep results and a good selection programme have contributed to a considerable increase in the milk yields in the European Union countries of the Mediterranean region (BARILLET et al, 1996). Recording of two daily milkings (the "A" method) is the Standard method for dairy cattle (GABINA et al, 1986). The simplified milk recording schemes present many potential advantages including: lower costs for the dairyman, less disruption of daily farm routine and an increased number of herds participating (DICKINSON and MC DANIEL, 1970; WÖJTOWSKI et al, 1999). A simplification of the official method for milk recording is A30; it provides monthly recordings of two daily milkings, which can be achieved by: » Measuring two daily milkings every 45 and 60 days (A45 and A60) Measuring only one milking a day

Methods

Results

Conclusion