Milk yield and milk quality characteristics of Awassi sheep under semi-ıntensive conditions

This research was carried out to determine milk yield and milk quality parameters of Awassi sheep raised under semi-intensive conditions in Harran University Experimental Animal Research and Application Center. In the study, 2 and 3 years old, 46 heads of Awassi sheep were used as animal material. The care and feeding of the ewes were made in a way that the Animal Research and Application Center routinely applied. Average daily milk yield in Awassi sheep was determined as 1002.82±52.57 g. Lactation milk yield and lactation period were calculated as 168.10±8.44 kg and 166.10±2.11 days, respectively. In the study, the overall mean fat, protein, lactose and dry matter ratios were determined. % 6.27±0.10; 5.12±0.05; 4.81±0.05 and 17.44 ± 0.13 respectively. Somatic cell count and pH values in Awassi sheep milk were determined as 207.56±21.29 cell/ml and 6.29±0.03 respectively. L*, a* and b* values in sheep milk were determined as 72.69±0.16; -6.11±0.04 and 6.92±0.08. respectively. It was determined that the amount of butyric acid (C4:0), which is one of the short-chain fatty acids, was higher than the values reported for sheep milk in all groups examined in the study. As a result, it has been determined that there is a wide variation in milk yield in Awassi sheep. A rapid genetic improvement may be achieved by utilizing this variation.