Impact of Yeast Supplement to the Rations Contained Different Levels of Barley Grain in Milk Production and Components of Awassi Ewes

Abstract

Background: Sheep milk production after weaning is produced for a limited period of 80-100 days, it is used for cheeses manufacturing, especially in the Mediterranean region due to its high content of total solids and it preferred in human nutrition because it is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, protein, nucleotides and nucleosides, this earns therapeutic functions especially cancer prevention. On the other hand, reducing the cost of feeding is important in reducing production costs. Methods: Eighteen Awassi ewes in late lactation were used in this experiment, aged 3-5 years, average body weight 55.27 kg. Ewes were divided randomly into three groups and fed periodically on experimental rations in cross over design (3×3) each period lasted 17 days, first ration was control, second ration was similar to control and fed with addition 10 g/ ewe of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, while in the third ration barley grain decreased to 35% and fed with added yeast. Ewes were milked on two consecutive days at the end of each experimental period and components were analysis using a milk scan analyzer. Result: Results were indicated that rations had no significant effect in milk yield and components. Also serum blood parameters of glucose, urea, cholesterol and total protein were not affected significantly.