Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies Vol. 1, No. 1, June 2014 Some Characteristics of Milk Yield in Awassi Ewes Maintained at Village Conditions Gönül Gürsu and Turgut Aygün Yüzüncü Yıl University, Agricultural Faculty, Department of Animal Science, 65080, Van, Turkey Email: taygun@yyu.edu.tr Akkaraman breed because of their high milk yield, and the growth and development properties of lambs. In developed countries, the need of milk is generally provided from cows but ewe milk is used for the feeding of lambs. However, in some countries the dairy sheep farming is an important field of endeavor. Ewe milk is preferred due to some specific features. Turkey's current climate, soil and market conditions have provided to be done the type of dairy sheep farming [4]. In this study, it was investigated the some milk traits of Awassi ewes such as the lactation length, lactation milk yield, some nutrient contents and, physical properties of milk raised in rural conditions of Bakırcan village of Gaziantep province in pasture season. Abstract In this study, it is aimed to be determined the some milk traits in Awassi ewes maintained at village conditions. Totally, 63 Awassi ewes with ages of 2-3 years were used as animal material. Milking in Awassi ewes started at thirty days after parturition. Controls of the milking were made at 14 days intervals. Lactation period and lactation milk production for each ewe were determined from data of controls based on test-day records and Sweden method. The means of lactation period and lactation milk yield for Awassi ewes were 165.46 days and 110.05 l, respectively. Lactation period and lactation milk yield were not statistically affected by age and born lamb's gender. The levels in middle of lactation period of Awassi ewes were defined as following: milk fat, dry matter, density, point of freezing, and protein were 9.40%, 11.61%, 1.0364 g/cm3, 0.59 C and 6.09%, respectively. As a result, the findings suggest that the lactation period and the lactation milk yield of Awassi ewes were sufficient level for rural conditions. II. A. Animals A total of 63 fat-tailed Awassi ewes 2 and 3 years old were used in the study. They were raised in Bakırcan mountain village of Yavuzeli district the province of Gaziantep province, Turkey. Yavuzeli district is located on the Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey. It's sea level height (altitude) is 650 meters. The ewes were fed in pasture, and were not given addition feed at diet season. Some breeders leave the sheep in the pasture day and night. Generally, the mating of sheep in this province is started in June and lasted at the end of July. In addition, the number of ewes per ram is approximately 30 head. In general, ewes and their lambs were kept with about 2 months after lambing. Then the ewes and their lambs are distinguished and collected with together for 2 to 3 hours in each morning and evening for suckling for 2 months approximately. Index Terms milk yield, lactation, village conditions, ewe, awassi I. INTRODUCTION The origin of Awassi sheep is Mesopotamia Area in which sheep was firstly domesticated in the motherland of the Euphrates and Tigris rivers [1]. Sheep breeding has a special place in animal husbandry. The total of the milk produced in Turkey consists of 8.8% ewe milk. Expanding Awassi breeding of Turkey, it has the highest milk yield between domestic sheep races [2]. Therefore, Turkey is one of the most important countries with diverse sheep races characterised by their adaptation to harsh environmental and feeding conditions. Awassi sheep in Iraq, Syria, Israel, and Libya exported to countries such as research centers as well as they do in some European countries Awassi sheep have used in cross-breeding. Some researchers, Turkish Awassi line in Syria, Iraq and Jordan line is growing more rapidly in milk yield was higher than that of the left [3]. The most prominent feature of Awassi sheep, lots of sheep farming in the form of hot and dry desert conditions can be grown. Lactation milk yields of Awassi sheep in the rural areas and in the amend flocks are from 100 to 150 kg and from 250 to 300 kg, respectively. Awassi sheep have daily 4-5 kg of milk yield in lactation season. The elite drove in some sheep is from 600 to 700 kg of milk [1]. Awassi sheep are used for improvement of B. Determination of Milk Yield Traits Milking of ewes was done by hand. Including morning and evening, milking was performed twice a day. Milk samples were taken three times in the beginning, middle, and end of pasture period. In the milk samples collected, the dry matter, fat, protein and water rates were determined in the Milkana device by using ultrasonic methods. Lactation milk yield and lactation period were calculated according to the method of Sweden [5]. Lactation milk yield (l); n X=a Lactation period (day); Manuscript received February 14, 2014; revised May 20, 2014. doi: 10.12720/joaat.1.1.19-23 MATERIALS AND METHODS 19 k i 1 i - (a/2 - A) k1 (1)
where is; n i 1 k L = n a - (a/2 - A) (2) i = the total of milk yields determined in control days (l), k i : milk yield determined in any control day of milk (l), A: the time between birth and first control (day), k 1 : milk yield determined in first control (l) X: milking yield, L: lactation period (day), a: milk yield control range (day), n: the number of control, C. Statistical Analysis Descriptive statistics for the properties; the average, the standard error, the minimum and maximum value were expressed as a factor determining factors. Variance analysis of repeated measurement was used for characteristics of milk yield calculations by SPSS statistical package program as 5% statistical significance level. III. RESULTS A. Changing of Lactation Milk Yield and Lactation Period According to Age and Sex of Lamb in Awassi Ewes Age Descriptive statistics and standard errors for lactation milk yield and lactation period in Awassi ewes during 8 separate periods by age are summarized in Table I. TABLE I. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR LACTATION MILK YIELD (LMY) AND LACTATION PERIOD (LP) IN AWASSI EWES BY AGE 2 years old 3 years old X ±S X Interval X ±S X Interval LMY (l) 107.6±8.0 627-245 113.0±8.5 68-237 LP (day) 165.4±3.6 130-200 165.6±3.6 131-200 April 7-AM 341.2±21.0 150-720 377.6±31.5 200-820 April 7-PM 365.3±19.3 180-730 386.2±25.8 200-750 April 7-TOT 706.5±39.3 330-1450 763.8±56.2 420-1570 April 21-AM 270.9±19.3 150-700 292.8±28.5 130-900 April 21-PM 280.0±27.3 100-800 297.4±23.9 130-600 April 21-TOT 550.9±38.2 280-1400 590.2±45.0 280-1500 May 5-AM 358.8±26.4 140-800 350.0±27.3 100-800 May 5-PM 322.7±25.1 100-800 296.6±25.0 100-700 May 5-TOT 681.5±51.2 240-1600 646.6±51.9 200-1500 May 5-AM 351.5±26.7 120-700 369.7±29.9 150-800 May 5-PM 266.2±23.9 100-650 281.4±26.9 120-710 May 5-TOT 617.7±49.8 220-1350 651.0±55.0 270-1510 June 2-AM 331.2±22.0 150-620 343.5±22.0 180-700 June 2-PM 273.2±18.4 100-500 272.4±22.8 140-650 June 2-TOT 604.4±39.0 250-1120 615.9±43.1 330-1350 June 16-AM 300.3±17.3 150-550 304.1±18.1 180-600 June 16-PM 245.6±18.3 100-550 243.1±19.1 150-550 June 16-TOT 545.9±33.3 250-1000 547.2±35.1 350-1150 June 30-AM 179.7±14.3 50-350 202.1±14.6 100-400 June 30-PM 157.7±14.0 50-350 139.3±14.1 50-350 June 30-TOT 337.4±24.5 150-650 341.4±26.5 150-750 July 15-AM 52.9±9.6 0-150 51.7±9.4 0-200 July 15-PM 20.6±5.7 0-120 31.0±8.4 0-150 July 15-TOT 73.5±12.5 0-270 82.8±15.4 0-350 As seen in Table I, for the milk yield and the lactation period Awassi ewes aged 2 and 3 are understood to have similar average. The average daily milk yield during the period from April 7 to July 15 is every two years to an expected decline is also seen. Sex of lamb Descriptive statistics and standard errors for lactation milk yield and lactation period in Awassi ewes during 8 separate periods by sex of lamb are summarized in Table II. TABLE II. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR LACTATION MILK YIELD (LMY) AND LACTATION PERIOD (LP) IN AWASSI EWES BY SEX OF LAMB Male Female X ±S X Interval X ±S X Interval LMY (l) 114.4±7.4 62-245 99.0±7.8 62-180 LP (day) 168.3±3.0 131-200 158.4±4.6 130-200 April 7-AM 368.7±24.2 150-820 331.1±21.7 200-550 April 7-PM 386.9±20.0 180-750 345.0±22.6 210-600 April 7-TOT 755.6±43.2 330-1570 676.1±42.9 420-1150 April 21-AM 264.9±14.6 130-700 321.1±45.1 150-900 April 21-PM 293.9±23.1 100-800 273.3±28.1 130-600 April 21-TOT 558.8±31.0 280-1400 594.4±67.3 280-1500 May 5-AM 347.6±24.5 100-800 372.8±24.9 230-650 May 5-PM 298.0±22.6 100-800 342.2±24.9 200-600 May 5-TOT 645.6±46.8 200-1600 715.0±49.3 450-1250 May 5-AM 364.4±23.8 120-800 348.3±36.5 150-750 May 5-PM 273.1±22.0 100-710 273.3±30.3 110-600 May 5-TOT 637.6±44.4 220-1510 621.7±66.4 260-1350 June 2-AM 342.9±18.5 150-700 321.7±29.1 200-650 June 2-PM 275.3±17.6 100-650 266.7±24.7 150-500 June 2-TOT 618.2±34.7 250-1350 588.3±51.7 350-1150 June 16-AM 307.3±14.8 150-600 288.9±23.6 150-500 June 16-PM 246.0±16.1 100-550 240.6±22.4 130-450 June 16-TOT 553.3±29.2 250-1150 529.4±42.2 330-950 June 30-AM 190.9±12.0 50-400 187.8±20.4 50-400 June 30-PM 148.7±11.5 50-350 150.6±20.2 50-350 June 30-TOT 339.6±20.6 150-750 338.3±36.4 150-700 July 15-AM 53.3±8.3 0-200 50.0±11.4 0-150 July 15-PM 27.8±5.9 0-150 19.4±9.2 0-150 July 15-TOT 142.3±11.7 50-250 113.6±18.0 50-250 As seen in Table II, for the milk yield and the lactation period, it has been understood that Awassi ewes with male lamb have higher averages than ewes with female lamb. However, the average daily milk yield during periods of April 21 and May 5 female sheep give rise higher than the average of the men were found to give rise to the sheep. TABLE III. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR SOME NUTRIENT CONTENTS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MILK IN AWASSI EWES BY AGE 2 years old 3 years old X ±S X Interval X ±S X Interval Fat (%) 9.6±0.5 3.2-11.2 9.2±0.6 2.6-11.2 Fat-free dry matter (%) 11.3±0.3 4.8-14.9 12.0±0.3 9.2-15.2 Density (g/cm 3 ) 1.04±0.00 1.01-1.06 1.04±0.00 1.02-1.05 Freezing point (ºC) -0.57±1.85-0.13-(-0.88) -0.61±1.43-0.52-(-0.88) Protein (%) 6.0±0.1 4.0-7.3 6.2±0.2 4.6-8.0 B. Changing of Some Nutrient Contents and Physical Properties of Milk According to Age and Sex of Lamb in Awassi Ewes Age 20
Descriptive statistics and standard errors for some nutrient contents and physical properties of milk in Awassi ewes by age are summarized in Table III. If Table III is analyzed, it has been understood for milk fat that two old ewes have a higher average than three old ewes. The opposite there is a case for protein content. Sex of lamb Descriptive statistics and standard errors for some nutrient contents and physical properties of milk in Awassi ewes by sex of lamb are summarized in Table IV. TABLE IV. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS AND STANDARD ERRORS FOR SOME NUTRIENT CONTENTS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MILK IN AWASSI EWES BY SEX OF LAMB Male Female X ±S X Interval X ±S X Interval Fat (%) 9.1±0.5 2.6-11.2 10.1±0.3 8.7-11.2 Fat-free dry matter (%) 11.7±0.3 4.8-15.2 11.3±0.3 8.9-13.6 Density (g/cm 3 ) 1.04±0.00 1.01-1.06 1.04±0.00 1.02-1.05 Freezing point (ºC) -0.59±1.66-0.13-(-0.88) -0.58±0.79-0.50-(-0.65) Protein (%) 6.0±0.1 4.6-8.0 6.2±0.2 4.0-7.5 TABLE V. GENERAL DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS AND STANDARD ERRORS (SE) FOR LACTATION MILK YIELD (LMY), LACTATION PERIOD (LP) AND, SOME NUTRIENT CONTENTS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MILK IN AWASSI EWES X ±S X SE Minimum Maximum LMY (l) 110.05 5.80 61.74 244.78 LP (day) 165.46 2.53 130 200 April 7-AM 357.94 18.402 150 820 April 7-PM 374.92 15.742 180 750 April 7-TOT 732.86 33.351 330 1570 April 21-AM 280.95 16.655 130 900 April 21-PM 288.02 18.293 100 800 April 21-TOT 568.97 29.071 280 1500 May 5-AM 354.76 18.859 100 800 May 5-PM 310.63 17.706 100 800 May 5-TOT 665.40 36.302 200 1600 May 5-AM 359.84 19.806 120 800 May 5-PM 273.17 17.811 100 710 May 5-TOT 633.02 36.693 220 1510 June 2-AM 336.83 15.516 150 700 June 2-PM 272.86 14.317 100 650 June 2-TOT 609.68 28.677 250 1350 June 16-AM 302.06 12.454 150 600 June 16-PM 244.44 13.091 100 550 June 16-TOT 546.51 23.965 250 1150 June 30-AM 190.00 10.250 50 400 June 30-PM 149.21 9.931 50 350 June 30-TOT 339.21 17.862 150 750 July 15-AM 52.38 6.712 0 200 July 15-PM 25.40 4.936 0 150 July 15-TOT 133.78 9.889 50 250 Fat (%) 9.4018 0.3611 2.56 11.15 Fat-free dry matter (%) 11.6098 0.2170 4.79 15.20 Density (g/cm 3 ) 1.0364 0.0012 1.01 1.06 Freezing point (ºC) -0.59 1.2058-0.13-0.88 Protein (%) 6.0900 0.1142 4.04 8.01 If Table IV is examined, it has been understood that Awassi ewes with female lamb have higher averages than ewes with male lamb for the milk fat content. Conversely, for the milk protein content Awassi ewes with male lamb have higher averages. C. General means of Lactation Milk Yield, Lactation Period and, Some Nutrient Contents and Physical Properties of Milk in Awassi Ewes General descriptive statistics and standard errors for lactation milk yield, lactation period and, some nutrient contents and physical properties of milk in Awassi ewes are given in Table V. As seen in Table V, percentage of fat and protein in milk samples taken during the last period was found as 9.40% and 6.09%, respectively. The fat ratio of 9.40% detected in the last period is relatively very high. IV. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Lactation milk yield of Awassi sheep of the native breeds is known to be high. However, when grown in the village of Awassi sheep milk yield due to a small decrease in the environmental impact can be seen. Especially in the border area of Southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey, a number of scientific researches on Awassi sheep breeding have commonly been performed. Obtained in the study of the lactation milk yield and lactation length on the effect of age was not significant. Lactation milk yield and lactation length in terms of the distinction between the ages of three old sheep were in favor. It can be said that ewes with male lambs have higher than ewes with female lambs for lactation milk yield and lactation period. However, this difference was not statistically significant. This study identified in Awassi sheep discussed lactation milk yield and the average of the duration of lactation, but in sheep obtained from other studies were in agreement with the results. In this study, lactation period and lactation milk yield were found as 165.46 days and 110.05 l, respectively. These average values, in Awassi sheep are similar to the reported average for rural conditions [1]. In particular, the variation between the introductory values considerably seems to be broad level. By using of these variations, it will be possible that the milk yield of Awassi ewes under rural conditions increases satisfactory level. Other findings from the literature when considered together with the results of this research; it can be said that there is a significant relationship between age and, lactation milk yield and duration of lactation period. Indeed, as seen in studies on the subject, from the two old ewes milk yield increases up to 4-6 years and, then tends to decrease [6]-[11]. The averages of fat, non-fat dry matter, density, freezing point, and protein in milk samples taken in the middle of the lactation period in Awassi ewes were determined as 9.40%, 11.6098%, 1.0364 g/cm 3, -0.59 C and 6.09%, respectively. It can be said that these values are higher than the findings of a study by [12]. In Turkey, the identification information regarding the traditional animal breeding techniques according to the regions and districts is limited. In addition, the overall 21
performances of Turkey's breeds of domestic sheep kept in native conditions of information regarding detailed descriptions are also insufficient [13]. However, the development of more efficient livestock programs is due to conducting research on direct growers overall yield performance under the conditions of the populations of native breeds, morphological and physiological characteristics and aquaculture infrastructure examination. Obtained with the more synthesis of this information sensitive animal breeding programs and policies can be developed [11], [14], [15]. Awassi breed is very important for Turkey because their milk yield and lamb growth and development properties are higher Reference [3]. The findings of this study and the results of other studies in literature have suggested that the lactation milk yield and the lactation period were not only depends on the race of sheep but also depends on the management and the environmental conditions in which races of sheep maintained. As a result, it can be said that Awassi ewes bred in under the village conditions in Bakırcan mountain village of Yavuzeli district in Gaziantep province have showed the findings in accordance with averages for lactation period and lactation milk yield in terms of their circumstances as the literature. In the region, these research findings could form the basis for scientific studies taking into account problems of the milk, the meat, the wool production, and the growth traits. It seems that milk yield of Awassi ewes is rather better than many of native sheep breeds and some synthetic sheep types in Turkey. However, in order to reach a more definite conclusion is required to work in larger populations. ACKNOWLEDGMENT We thank to that Presidency of Scientific Research Projects of Yüzüncü Yıl University provided financial support to the project. Project number: 2007-FBE-YL086. The authors highly appreciate the statistical assistance Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sıddık Keskin. REFERENCES [1] Anonymous, TİGEM. [Online]. Available: http://www.tigem.gov.tr/images/editor_dosyalar/brosur/ivesi.pdf. GTHB Tarım İşletmeleri Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara, Turkey. [2] A. Yıldız and N. Yıldız, Milk yield and lactation duration of Awassi ewes raised in ceylanpinar state farm (Ceylanpınar Tarım İşletmesi nde yetiştirilen İvesi koyunlarının süt verimi ve laktasyon süresi), YYÜ Vet. Fak. Derg., vol. 13, pp. 117-121, 2002. [3] G. Gürsu, Characteristics of milk yield and blood serum levels of Ca, K, P and Co of Awassi sheep maintained at village conditions in Gaziantep city (Gaziantep ilinde köy koşullarında yetiştirilen İvesi koyunlarının süt verim özellikleri ile kan serum Ca, K, P ve Co düzeyleri), M.S. thesis, Dept. Animal Science, Yüzüncü Yıl Univ., Van, Turkey, 2011. [4] İ. Şeker, S. Kul, and M. 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Vet. Fak. Derg., vol. 15, no. 1-2, pp. 27-31, 2004. [9] A. Akmaz, The milk yield and some factors affecting on the milk yield in Konya Merino ewes (Konya Merinosu koyunlarında süt verimi ve süt verimine etki eden bazı faktörler), Hayvancılık Araştırma Derg., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 5-8, 1994. [10] T. Altın and H. Çelikyürek, The effect of grown with residual milk on growth traits of lambs (Kalıntı sütle kuzu büyütmenin koyunların süt verimine etkisi), YYÜ Zir. Fak. Derg., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 173-184, 1996. [11] Ö. Gökdal, The milk yield, reproductive performance, some body measurements and growth characteristics of Karakaş sheep (Karakaş koyunlarının süt ve döl verimleri ile dışyapı ve büyümegelişme özellikleri), (Doktora tezi). Ph.D. thesis, Dept. Animal Science, Yüzüncü Yıl Univ., Van, Turkey, 1998. [12] N. Özyurtlu, S. Gürgöze, S. Bademkıran, A. Şimşek, and R. 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Aygün, Serum Calcium, Potassium, Phosphorus and Cobalt levels of Awassi ewes maintained at village conditions during lactation period, presented at the 3rd International Conference on Asia Agriculture and Animal, Moscow, Russia, July 27-28, 2013. Turgut Aygün was born in February 04 1969 in Elazığ city of Turkey. He have been living in Van city of Turkey and, working as a Professor at Yuzuncu Yıl University, Agriculture Faculty, Department of Animal Science, Van, Turkey. His research areas are generally association with animal breeding and improvement in small ruminants, hormones, reproduction and fertility, veterinary biochemistry, horse breeding and rearing, organic animal production. He finished Bachelor of Science in Department of Animal Science, Agriculture Engineering Yuzuncu Yıl University, Turkey in June of 1991 year. He made Master Thesis of named Some Testis Characteristics and Possibilities Using Indirect Selection in Karakaş Male Lambs in Department of Animal Science, Yuzuncu Yıl University, Turkey in January of 1993 year. He have double PhD. He made first PhD of named Reproductive Characteristics and Some Parameter Estimates For Serum FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) Concentrations in Karakaş Ewes in Department of Animal Science, Yuzuncu Yıl University, Turkey in November of 1996 year. And, he also made second PhD of named Relationships between the polymorphism of blood proteins and some milk yield traits in Norduz 22
goats in Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, Yuzuncu Yıl University, Turkey in January of 2006 year. He have numerous publications related to small ruminant husbandry. The subject of his publications is more related to breeding and management in small ruminants. Also, he have interested the horse breeding and the occupational healthy and the security in the agriculture. Dr. Aygün is a member of the Van Zootechnic Associations in Turkey. 23