Effects of weather and other factors on milk production in the Churra dairy sheep breed

Manuel Gonzalez-Ronquillo; José-Alfonso Abecia; Ricardo Gómez; Carlos Palacios

doi:10.31893/jabb.21025

Keywords:

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of meteorological and other factors on the quality and quantity of milk of the Spanish Churra sheep breed, based on an analysis of 359,808 milk controls from 9,904 ewes on 15 farms in 8 years. Daily milk yield (DMY), fat, protein, and lactose (%), and somatic cell count (SCC) data were obtained from monthly alternating milk controls. Mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures (T) (°C), mean relative humidity (RH) (%), wind speed (WS, m/s), mean solar radiation (SR, MJ/m²), and total rainfall (RF, mm) on the day before each milk control day were documented. Year, farm, number of lambing and stage of lactation, and all of the meteorological factors had a significant (P < 0.0001) effect on DMY and milk quality. DMY and SCC differed among seasons (P < 0.001), and maximum DMY and minimum SCC occurred in spring, and minimum DMY and maximum SCC occurred in autumn. Fat, protein, and lactose content differed significantly (P < 0.001) among seasons, and fat and protein contents were highest in autumn. DMY was highest in the second lambing of the ewe and steadily declined in subsequent lambings. SCC increased significantly from the first to the 10th lambing of the ewe. DMY, SCC, and fat content differed significantly (P < 0.001) among years. In conclusion, meteorological conditions had a significant effect on milk quality and production in Churra sheep conditions in a season-dependent manner such that factors such as temperature had the opposite effect on milk production in hot and cold seasons.
References
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2. Abecia JA, Palacios C (2017) Ewes giving birth to female lambs produce more milk than ewes giving birth to male lambs. Italian Journal of Animal Science 17:736–739.
3. Abdela N, Jilo K (2016) Impact of climate change on livestock health: A review. Global Veterinary 16:419–424.
4. Albenzio M, Figliola L, Caroprese M, Marino R, Sevi A, Santillo A (2019) Somatic cell count in sheep milk. Small Ruminant Research 176:24–30.
5. Angeles-Hernandez J, Radic Schilling S, Vera Arias M, Echeverría Pérez R, Castelán Ortega O, Ramirez Perez A, Gonzalez-Ronquillo M (2017) Effect of live weight pre and post-lambing on milk production of East Friesian sheep. Italian Journal of Animal Science 17:184-194.
6. Angeles-Hernandez JC, Pollott JE, Albarran Portillo B, Ramírez-Perez AH, Lizarazo Chaparro A, Castelan Ortega OA, Gonzalez Ronquillo M (2018) The application of a mechanistic model to analyze the factors that affect the lactation curve parameters of dairy sheep. Small Ruminant Research 64:58-63.
7. Armstrong DV (1994) Heat stress interaction with shade and cooling. Journal of Dairy Science 77:2044–2050.
8. Behera R, Chakravarty AK, Sahu A, Kashyap N, Rai S, Mandal A (2017) Identification of best temperature humidity index model for assessing impact of heat stress on milk constituent traits in Mirrah buffaloes under subtropical climatic conditions of Northern India. Indian Journal of Animal Research 52:13-19.
9. Bernabucci U, Lacetera N, Baumgard LH, Rhoads RP, Ronchi B, Nardone A (2010) Metabolic and hormonal acclimation to heat stress in domesticated ruminants. Animal 4:1167–1183.
10. Bonanno A, Di Grigoli A, Tornambè G (2013) La destagionalizzazione della produzione lattiero casearia degli ovini in Sicilia (Out-of-season dairy sheep production in Sicily). Large Animal Review 19:151–154.
11. Brown-Brandl TM, Eigenberg RA, Hahn GL, Nienaber JA (2001) Correlations of respiration rate, core body temperature and temperatures for shaded and non-shaded cattle. In: ASAE (ed) Proceedings of the 6th International Livestock Environmental Symposium. Louisville, Kentucky, pp. 448–454.
12. Caroprese M, Albenzio M, Bruno A, Fedele V, Santillo A, Sevi A (2011) Effects of solar radiation and flaxseed supplementation on milk production and fatty acid profile of lactating ewes under high ambient temperature. Journal of Dairy Science 94:3856–3867.
13. Caroprese M, Albenzio M, Bruno A, Annicchiarico G, Marino R, Sevi A (2012) Effects of shade and flaxseed supplementation on the welfare of lactating ewes under high ambient temperatures. Small Ruminant Research 102:177–185.
14. Curtis SE (1983) Environmental management in animal agriculture. Iowa State Press, USA.
15. Di Grigoli A, Todaro M, Di Miceli G, Alicata ML, Cascone G, Bonanno A (2009) Milk production and physiological traits of ewes and goats housed indoor or grazing at different daily timing in summer. Italian Journal of Animal Science 8:616–618.
16. Elvira L, Hernandez F, Cuesta P, Cano S, Gonzalez-Martin JV, Astiz S (2013) Accurate mathematical models to describe the lactation curve of Lacaune dairy sheep under intensive management. Animal 7:1–9.
17. Fernandez G, Alvarez P, San Primitivo F, de la Fuente LF, 1995) Factors affecting variation of udder traits of dairy ewes. Journal of Dairy Science 78:842-849.
18. Gabiña D, Arrese F, Arranz J, Beltrán de Heredia I, 1993) Average milk yield and environmental effects on Latxa sheep. Journal of Dairy Science 76:1191-1198.
19. González-García E, Tesniere A, Camous S, Bocquier F, Barillet F, Hassoun P (2015) The effects of parity, litter size, physiological state, and milking frequency on the metabolic profile of Lacaune dairy ewes. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 50:32–44.
20. Gootwine E, Pollott GE (2000) Factors affecting milk production in Improved Awassi dairy ewes. Animal Science 71:607-615.
21. Gootwine E, Goot H, 1994) Lamb and milk production of Awassi and East-Friesian sheep and their crosses under Mediterranean environment. Small Ruminant Research 20:255–260.
22. Hernandez F, Elvira L, Gonzalez-Martin JV, Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Astiz S (2011) Influence of age at first lambing on reproductive and productive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep under an intensive management system. Journal of Dairy Research 78:160–167.
23. IDF (2010) Milk, cream and evaporated milk. In: Determination of total solids content. Standard 021. International Dairy Federation. Brussels, Belgium.
24. IDF (2001) Milk. Determination of nitrogen content. Part 5: Determination of protein-nitrogen content. In: Standard 020-5. International Dairy Federation. Brussels, Belgium.
25. IDF (2008) Milk. Determination of fat content. Gerber butyrometers. In: Standard 105. International Dairy Federation. Brussels, Belgium.
26. IBM Corp. Released (2017) IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.
27. ICAR (2016) International Agreement of Recording Practices. Roma, Italy.
28. Laporta J, Fabris TF, Skibiel AL, Powell JL, Hayen MJ, Horvath K, Miller-Cushon EK, Dahl GE (2017) In utero exposure to heat stress during late gestation has prolonged effects on the activity patterns and growth of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 100:2976–2984.
29. Lérias JR, Hernández-Castellano LE, Suárez-Trujillo A, Castro N, Pourlis A, Almeida AM (2014) The mammary gland in small ruminants: major morphological and functional events underlying milk production –a review. Journal of Dairy Research 81:304–318.
30. NRC (1981) Effect of environment on nutrient requirements of domestic animals. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.
31. McDowell RE (1972) The animal body in warm environment. In: Freeman WH and Co (ed) Improvement of livestock production in warm climates. San Francisco, California, p. 65.
32. Mioč B, Prpić Z, Antunac N, Antunović Z, Samaržija D, Vnučec I, Pavić V (2009) Milk yield and quality of Cres sheep and their crosses with Awassi and East Friesian sheep. Mljekarstvo 59:217-224.
33. Nasr MAF, El-Tarabany MS (2017) Impact of three THI levels on somatic cell count, milk yield and composition of multiparous Holstein cows in a subtropical region. Journal of Thermal Biology 64:73–77.
34. Mylostyvyi R, Chernenko O (2019) Correlations between Environmental factors and milk production of Holstein cows. Data 4:1-8.
35. Nudda A, Atzori AS, Correddu F, Battacone G, Lunesu MF, Cannas A, Pulina G (2019) Effects of nutrition on main components of sheep milk. Small Ruminant Research 184:106015.
36. Palacios C, de la Fuente LF (2007) Análisis de factores de variación de la producción láctea en ganado ovino de las razas Castellana y Assaf. ITEA‑Información Técnica Económica Agraria 28:303-305.
37. Peana I, Dimauro C, Carta M, Gaspa M, Fois G, Cannas A (2007a) Cold markedly influences milk yield of Sardinian dairy sheep farms. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6:580.
38. Peana I, Dimauro C, Carta M, Gaspa M, Fois G, Cannas A (2007b) Effects of heat stress on milk yield in Sardinian dairy sheep farms. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6:581.
39. Peana I, Fois G, Cannas A (2007c) Effects of heat stress and diet on milk production and feed and energy intake of Sarda ewes. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6:577–579.
40. Peana I, Dias Francesconi AH, Dimauro C, Cannas A, Sitzia M (2017) Effect of winter and spring meteorological conditions on milk production of grazing dairy sheep in the Mediterranean environment. Small Ruminant Research 153:194-208.
41. Ploumi K, Belibasaki S, Triantaphyllidis G (1998) Some factors affecting daily milk yield and composition in a flock of Chios ewes. Small Ruminant Research 28:89-92.
42. Ramón M, Díaz C, Pérez-Guzman MD, Carabaño MJ (2016) Effect of exposure to adverse climatic conditions on production in Manchega dairy sheep. Journal of Dairy Science 99:5764–5779.
43. Riggio V, Maizon DO, Portolano B, Bovenhuis H, van Arendonk JAM (2009) Effect of somatic cell count level on functional longevity in Valle del Belice dairy sheep assessed using survival analysis. Journal of Dairy Science 92:6160–6166.
44. Robles-Jimenez LE, Angeles-Hernandez JC, Palacios C, Abecia JA, Naranjo A, Osorio Avalos J, Gonzalez-Ronquillo, M (2020) Milk production of Lacaune sheep with different degrees of crossing with Manchega sheep in a commercial flock in Spain. Animals 20:520.
45. Rovai M, Such X, Piedrafita J, Caja G, Pujol MR (1999) Evolution of mammary morphology traits during lactation and its relationship with milk yield of Manchega and Lacaune dairy sheep. In: Barillet F, Zervas NP (eds) Milking and milk production of dairy sheep and goats. EAAP Publication No. 95. Wageningen Pers, Wageningen, The Netherlands, pp. 107–109.
46. Ruiz R, Oregui LM, Herrero M (2000) Comparison of models for describing the lactation curve of Latxa sheep and an analysis of factors affecting milk yield. Journal of Dairy Science 83:2709–2719.
47. Sevi A, Taibi L, Albenzio M, Muscio, A., Annicchiarico, G (2000) Eﬀect of parity on milk yield, composition, somatic cell count, renneting parameters and bacteria counts of Comisana ewes. Small Ruminant Research 37:99–107.
48. Sevi A, Caroprese M (2012) Impact of heat stress on milk production, immunity and udder health in sheep: A critical review. Small Ruminant Research 107:1–7.
49. Sejian V, Bhatta R, Gaughan JB, Dunshea FR, Lacetera N (2018) Review: Adaptation of animals to heat stress. Animal 12:431–444.
50. Young BA, Degen AA (1981) Thermal influences of ruminants. In: Clark JA (ed) Environmental aspects of housing for animal production. Butterworths, London, pp. 167–180.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

How to cite

Gonzalez-Ronquillo, M., Abecia, . J.-A., Gómez, R., & Palacios, C. (2021). Effects of weather and other factors on milk production in the Churra dairy sheep breed. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, 9(2), 2125. https://doi.org/10.31893/jabb.21025

[1] Abecia JA, Garcia A, Castillo L, Palacios C (2017) The effects of weather on milk production in dairy sheep vary by month of lambing and lactation phase. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology 5:56-63.

[2] Abecia JA, Palacios C (2017) Ewes giving birth to female lambs produce more milk than ewes giving birth to male lambs. Italian Journal of Animal Science 17:736–739.

[3] Abdela N, Jilo K (2016) Impact of climate change on livestock health: A review. Global Veterinary 16:419–424.

[4] Albenzio M, Figliola L, Caroprese M, Marino R, Sevi A, Santillo A (2019) Somatic cell count in sheep milk. Small Ruminant Research 176:24–30.

[5] Angeles-Hernandez J, Radic Schilling S, Vera Arias M, Echeverría Pérez R, Castelán Ortega O, Ramirez Perez A, Gonzalez-Ronquillo M (2017) Effect of live weight pre and post-lambing on milk production of East Friesian sheep. Italian Journal of Animal Science 17:184-194.

[6] Angeles-Hernandez JC, Pollott JE, Albarran Portillo B, Ramírez-Perez AH, Lizarazo Chaparro A, Castelan Ortega OA, Gonzalez Ronquillo M (2018) The application of a mechanistic model to analyze the factors that affect the lactation curve parameters of dairy sheep. Small Ruminant Research 64:58-63.

[7] Armstrong DV (1994) Heat stress interaction with shade and cooling. Journal of Dairy Science 77:2044–2050.

[8] Behera R, Chakravarty AK, Sahu A, Kashyap N, Rai S, Mandal A (2017) Identification of best temperature humidity index model for assessing impact of heat stress on milk constituent traits in Mirrah buffaloes under subtropical climatic conditions of Northern India. Indian Journal of Animal Research 52:13-19.

[9] Bernabucci U, Lacetera N, Baumgard LH, Rhoads RP, Ronchi B, Nardone A (2010) Metabolic and hormonal acclimation to heat stress in domesticated ruminants. Animal 4:1167–1183.

[10] Bonanno A, Di Grigoli A, Tornambè G (2013) La destagionalizzazione della produzione lattiero casearia degli ovini in Sicilia (Out-of-season dairy sheep production in Sicily). Large Animal Review 19:151–154.

[11] Brown-Brandl TM, Eigenberg RA, Hahn GL, Nienaber JA (2001) Correlations of respiration rate, core body temperature and temperatures for shaded and non-shaded cattle. In: ASAE (ed) Proceedings of the 6th International Livestock Environmental Symposium. Louisville, Kentucky, pp. 448–454.

[12] Caroprese M, Albenzio M, Bruno A, Fedele V, Santillo A, Sevi A (2011) Effects of solar radiation and flaxseed supplementation on milk production and fatty acid profile of lactating ewes under high ambient temperature. Journal of Dairy Science 94:3856–3867.

[13] Caroprese M, Albenzio M, Bruno A, Annicchiarico G, Marino R, Sevi A (2012) Effects of shade and flaxseed supplementation on the welfare of lactating ewes under high ambient temperatures. Small Ruminant Research 102:177–185.

[14] Curtis SE (1983) Environmental management in animal agriculture. Iowa State Press, USA.

[15] Di Grigoli A, Todaro M, Di Miceli G, Alicata ML, Cascone G, Bonanno A (2009) Milk production and physiological traits of ewes and goats housed indoor or grazing at different daily timing in summer. Italian Journal of Animal Science 8:616–618.

[16] Elvira L, Hernandez F, Cuesta P, Cano S, Gonzalez-Martin JV, Astiz S (2013) Accurate mathematical models to describe the lactation curve of Lacaune dairy sheep under intensive management. Animal 7:1–9.

[17] Fernandez G, Alvarez P, San Primitivo F, de la Fuente LF, 1995) Factors affecting variation of udder traits of dairy ewes. Journal of Dairy Science 78:842-849.

[18] Gabiña D, Arrese F, Arranz J, Beltrán de Heredia I, 1993) Average milk yield and environmental effects on Latxa sheep. Journal of Dairy Science 76:1191-1198.

[19] González-García E, Tesniere A, Camous S, Bocquier F, Barillet F, Hassoun P (2015) The effects of parity, litter size, physiological state, and milking frequency on the metabolic profile of Lacaune dairy ewes. Domestic Animal Endocrinology 50:32–44.

[20] Gootwine E, Pollott GE (2000) Factors affecting milk production in Improved Awassi dairy ewes. Animal Science 71:607-615.

[21] Gootwine E, Goot H, 1994) Lamb and milk production of Awassi and East-Friesian sheep and their crosses under Mediterranean environment. Small Ruminant Research 20:255–260.

[22] Hernandez F, Elvira L, Gonzalez-Martin JV, Gonzalez-Bulnes A, Astiz S (2011) Influence of age at first lambing on reproductive and productive performance of Lacaune dairy sheep under an intensive management system. Journal of Dairy Research 78:160–167.

[23] IDF (2010) Milk, cream and evaporated milk. In: Determination of total solids content. Standard 021. International Dairy Federation. Brussels, Belgium.

[24] IDF (2001) Milk. Determination of nitrogen content. Part 5: Determination of protein-nitrogen content. In: Standard 020-5. International Dairy Federation. Brussels, Belgium.

[25] IDF (2008) Milk. Determination of fat content. Gerber butyrometers. In: Standard 105. International Dairy Federation. Brussels, Belgium.

[26] IBM Corp. Released (2017) IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp.

[27] ICAR (2016) International Agreement of Recording Practices. Roma, Italy.

[28] Laporta J, Fabris TF, Skibiel AL, Powell JL, Hayen MJ, Horvath K, Miller-Cushon EK, Dahl GE (2017) In utero exposure to heat stress during late gestation has prolonged effects on the activity patterns and growth of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science 100:2976–2984.

[29] Lérias JR, Hernández-Castellano LE, Suárez-Trujillo A, Castro N, Pourlis A, Almeida AM (2014) The mammary gland in small ruminants: major morphological and functional events underlying milk production –a review. Journal of Dairy Research 81:304–318.

[30] NRC (1981) Effect of environment on nutrient requirements of domestic animals. National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

[31] McDowell RE (1972) The animal body in warm environment. In: Freeman WH and Co (ed) Improvement of livestock production in warm climates. San Francisco, California, p. 65.

[32] Mioč B, Prpić Z, Antunac N, Antunović Z, Samaržija D, Vnučec I, Pavić V (2009) Milk yield and quality of Cres sheep and their crosses with Awassi and East Friesian sheep. Mljekarstvo 59:217-224.

[33] Nasr MAF, El-Tarabany MS (2017) Impact of three THI levels on somatic cell count, milk yield and composition of multiparous Holstein cows in a subtropical region. Journal of Thermal Biology 64:73–77.

[34] Mylostyvyi R, Chernenko O (2019) Correlations between Environmental factors and milk production of Holstein cows. Data 4:1-8.

[35] Nudda A, Atzori AS, Correddu F, Battacone G, Lunesu MF, Cannas A, Pulina G (2019) Effects of nutrition on main components of sheep milk. Small Ruminant Research 184:106015.

[36] Palacios C, de la Fuente LF (2007) Análisis de factores de variación de la producción láctea en ganado ovino de las razas Castellana y Assaf. ITEA‑Información Técnica Económica Agraria 28:303-305.

[37] Peana I, Dimauro C, Carta M, Gaspa M, Fois G, Cannas A (2007a) Cold markedly influences milk yield of Sardinian dairy sheep farms. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6:580.

[38] Peana I, Dimauro C, Carta M, Gaspa M, Fois G, Cannas A (2007b) Effects of heat stress on milk yield in Sardinian dairy sheep farms. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6:581.

[39] Peana I, Fois G, Cannas A (2007c) Effects of heat stress and diet on milk production and feed and energy intake of Sarda ewes. Italian Journal of Animal Science 6:577–579.

[40] Peana I, Dias Francesconi AH, Dimauro C, Cannas A, Sitzia M (2017) Effect of winter and spring meteorological conditions on milk production of grazing dairy sheep in the Mediterranean environment. Small Ruminant Research 153:194-208.

[41] Ploumi K, Belibasaki S, Triantaphyllidis G (1998) Some factors affecting daily milk yield and composition in a flock of Chios ewes. Small Ruminant Research 28:89-92.

[42] Ramón M, Díaz C, Pérez-Guzman MD, Carabaño MJ (2016) Effect of exposure to adverse climatic conditions on production in Manchega dairy sheep. Journal of Dairy Science 99:5764–5779.

[43] Riggio V, Maizon DO, Portolano B, Bovenhuis H, van Arendonk JAM (2009) Effect of somatic cell count level on functional longevity in Valle del Belice dairy sheep assessed using survival analysis. Journal of Dairy Science 92:6160–6166.

[44] Robles-Jimenez LE, Angeles-Hernandez JC, Palacios C, Abecia JA, Naranjo A, Osorio Avalos J, Gonzalez-Ronquillo, M (2020) Milk production of Lacaune sheep with different degrees of crossing with Manchega sheep in a commercial flock in Spain. Animals 20:520.

[45] Rovai M, Such X, Piedrafita J, Caja G, Pujol MR (1999) Evolution of mammary morphology traits during lactation and its relationship with milk yield of Manchega and Lacaune dairy sheep. In: Barillet F, Zervas NP (eds) Milking and milk production of dairy sheep and goats. EAAP Publication No. 95. Wageningen Pers, Wageningen, The Netherlands, pp. 107–109.

[46] Ruiz R, Oregui LM, Herrero M (2000) Comparison of models for describing the lactation curve of Latxa sheep and an analysis of factors affecting milk yield. Journal of Dairy Science 83:2709–2719.

[47] Sevi A, Taibi L, Albenzio M, Muscio, A., Annicchiarico, G (2000) Eﬀect of parity on milk yield, composition, somatic cell count, renneting parameters and bacteria counts of Comisana ewes. Small Ruminant Research 37:99–107.

[48] Sevi A, Caroprese M (2012) Impact of heat stress on milk production, immunity and udder health in sheep: A critical review. Small Ruminant Research 107:1–7.

[49] Sejian V, Bhatta R, Gaughan JB, Dunshea FR, Lacetera N (2018) Review: Adaptation of animals to heat stress. Animal 12:431–444.

[50] Young BA, Degen AA (1981) Thermal influences of ruminants. In: Clark JA (ed) Environmental aspects of housing for animal production. Butterworths, London, pp. 167–180.

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References

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