Milk production of crossbred Istrian × East Friesian dairy ewes in Mediterranean region of Croatia

Abstract

The aim of the study was a 6-year evaluation of milk production of indigenous Istrian and imported East Friesian sheep crosses which are the result of a crossbreeding program that started in late 1980s in the Mediterranean region of Croatia. The study is based on data from 2,656 lactation records for 6 consecutive years. Data on average milk yield, fat corrected milk yield, fat and protein corrected milk yield and milk composition is reported. Values for daily milk yield, fat corrected daily milk yield and fat and protein corrected daily milk yield were 0.86 kg/day, 0.88 kg/day and 0.99 kg/day, respectively. Average milk composition during 6-year period was: fat, 7.28%; protein, 5.59%; lactose, 4.46%; urea, 28.62 mg/dl and 644,000/ml somatic cell count. The established results indicate further improvement in milk yield as the result of the program set up to create a domestic Croatian dairy sheep that started in the late 1980s.Keywords:Istrian sheepEast Friesian sheepmilk productionmilk compositionMediterranean