Effect of temperament on milk production, somatic cell count, chemical composition and physical properties in Lacaune dairy sheep breed

Abstract

Effect of temperament on milk yield, lactation length, physico-chemical properties and somatic cell count of Lacaune ewes were evaluated. The investigation was carried out at a sheep farm in the county of Győr-Moson-Sopron. The temperament of 106 Lacaune ewes was measured by the temperament 5-point-scale test (1=very nervous, 5=very quiet) during milking. Furthermore, 42 ewes were randomly selected from a herd of 106 animals for the analysis of milk composition (fat, protein and lactose), pH, electrical conductivity as well as somatic cell count. It was found that the temperament had a significant effect on lactation length and lactation milk production, lactose, electrical conductivity and somatic cell count. Calm ewes had significantly longer lactation (4 score: 220.7 day; 5 score: 201.4 day) as well as higher milk production (4 score: 207.9 kg; 5 score: 193.3 kg) compared to more temperamental animals (2+3 scores: 166.5 day and 135.5 kg; P<0.05). The content of lactose was significantly lower (4.32) in the more temperamental group, while electrical conductivity was higher (4.81 mS cm-1) compared to calmer animals (4.69 % and 4.16 mS cm-1). Additionally, significant differences were found in milk somatic cell count among the temperament categories. Calmer ewes had a lower somatic cell count in milk (5.17 log cm-3) than more temperamental ones (5.67 log cm-3; P<0.05).