Comparative evaluation of lactation performance, milk composition and physicochemical characteristics of indigenous dual-purpose sheep breeds in Kosovo
¹University of Prishtina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Animal Science, Str. ‘Tahir Zajmi’ No. 34, XK10000, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
²University of Prishtina, Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary, Department of Technology and Biotechnology, Str. ‘Tahir Zajmi’ No. 34, XK10000, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
*Correspondence: hysen.bytyqi@uni-pr.edu
Abstract:
Performance in lactation parameters, milk components, and udder health traits of native dual-purpose sheep breeds raised on semi-extensive management practices in Kosovo were investigated in this study. A total of 180 sheep belonging to the following three breeds – Sharri (SHA), Balusha (BAL), and Bardhoka (BAR) were selected from 15 farms in 2024. The animals were grouped in four parity classes (L1 to L4+), and milk production was measured monthly for a period of 150 days of lactation. Parameters related to milk quantity and quality such as milk yield, fat, protein, lactose content, physicochemical parameters, Somatic Cell Count (SCC), and age of first lambing (AFL) were examined applying mixed linear models where the effects of breed, parity class, and lactation stage served as fixed variables and farm as a random variable. Breed and parity showed significant effect (P < 0.05) on the lactation characteristics, while the breed × parity interaction was significant only for selected traits. Milk production increased from L1 to L3 parities and then declined as expected for normal physiological lactation process. The highest milk yield was detected in BAR sheep (156.1 ± 23.1 kg in L3) as well as low SCC values implying excellent udder health and dairy type orientation. There were negative correlations between milk yield and fat content, protein content, and SCC. These results indicate significant breed-specific differences regarding milk yield ability, milk composition, and udder health among local sheep breeds in Kosovo. Therefore, these findings support their target the native sheep breeds should be used in future breeding specific selection, management and conservation schemes aiming sustainability of local sheep genetic resources.
Key words:
correlated, milk composition, milk production, mixed linear models, semi-extensive management