Dairy productivity of sheep bred in the Republic of Moldova

Peter Lyutskanov, Oleg Mashner

Abstract: The article presents the materials of studying the milk productivity of local and imported sheep
breeds and their crossbreeds. Udder and nipple measurements were taken from the studied sheep, and
udder volumes were calculated on the basis of the measurement data. By the method of control yield,
milk production has been studied during the suckling, milking period and lactation. The highest milk
yield for a total lactation of 365.66 liters was obtained from Ostfrizian ewes and on second place the
Assaf breed with a productivity of 355.52 liters, from the crossbred ewes ♀ Tsigay x ♂ Ostfrizian for
lactation was obtained 290.15 liters of milk, and from ♀ Karakul x ♂ Awassi 326.30 liters with a reliable
difference of P ≤ 0.001 to the average data for the groups. The chemical composition of milk at
Karakul sheep is significantly higher (P ≤ 0.001), compared to the average for the studied breeds, and
at Ostfrizian sheep and their crossbreeds with Tsigay ♀ Tsigay x ♂ Ostfrizian, the percentage of fat is
lower, the other indicators are also significantly higher.

Keywords: crossbreeds; milkiness lactation chemical composition; sheep breeds; udder measurements

Date published: 2021-10-27