Milk yield and composition of Pleven Blackface Breed under intensive and extensive sheep production systems

Ina Stoycheva, Miroslav Simeonov

Abstract: The aim of the present study is to compare the methods of intensive and extensive feeding and breeding, in view of the quantity and quality of milk in our climatic conditions in the Pleven Blackface sheep breed (PBSB). To achieve the purpose an experiment is conducted with extensive (grazing on a plain pasture) and intensive production systems of dairy sheep during the spring-summer period, as a factor influencing the quantity and composition of milk. The average milk yield during the first 42 days of the spring-summer period is 0.814 l for the group with intensive feeding and management, which is 11.20% higher compared to the group of sheep with extensive one (0.732 l). The total milk produced during the spring-summer period (91 days) in intensive management sheep group is 57.46 l/ head, while in extensive sheep group is 50.50 l/head obtained. The total milk produced from sheep for 1 day is 13.8% more in intensive sheep group compared to extensive group. The average fat content in milk during the spring-summer period is 8.12%, and protein is 5.89%. The method of management and feeding the sheep has no effect on the content of casein and lactose in milk.

Keywords: dairy sheep; intensive and extensive feeding; milk productionl

Date published: 2020-10-21