ChileanJAR

In order to improve the regional agricultural perspectives, this study was based on the characterization of milk parameters of three groups of sheep: 50% Milchschaf (CMI), Suffolk (SU) and Local type (LO). In order to quantify milk production and milk chemical composition they were measured during all the milking period (1998/99). Total production of collected milk was of 140.2; 104.2; and 125.4 L animal^-1, in 181, 176 and 175 milking days and a daily average of 773; 589 and 706 mL animal^-1 d^-1, for CMI, SU and LO, respectively. The peak of LO was at day 12 of lactation with a production of 1,291 mL d^-1. The group CMI presented an upward phase until day 69, taking place a peak of 1,104 mL d^-1, below LO, but higher than SU, with a maximum production of 926 mL d^-1 in day 25. The variation range for total solids (ST) were 16.51 to 19.20; 17.53 to 20.43 and 17.58 to 20.27% for CMI, SU and LO, respectively, depending on lactation day. For all milking period average significant differences (P < 0.05) were presented among CMI, SU and LO in fat content (6.18; 6.71 and 6.63%, respectively) and ST (17.82; 18.63 and 18.54%, respectively). Under the study conditions, the CMI group produced higher quantity (P < 0.10) of milk than SU group. LO group presented an intermediate production between the other two groups, which was lower (P > 0.10) to CMI and higher (P > 0.10) than SU. Chemical composition was within the ranges reported in the literature.