Mljekarstvo (Feb 2008)
Production and milk quality of Pag sheep
Abstract
eep milk production and processing in last ten years show significant increase in Croatia. Market has recognized the product quality of sheep milk, so today even more number of cheese producers is interested for obtaining the protected geographical indication of products. Because of specific climate conditions on island Pag, as well as specific herbal cover, numerous aromatic plant varieties, milk, i.e. cheese, has specific taste and smell which consumers recognize, search and appreciate. Because of milk production increase and achieving better quality, production regularly controls and chemical composition analyzes and hygiene quality of sheep milk are conducted. In that propose during 2003 and 2004 years, research was carried out, which had for aim to explore milk quality of Pag sheep and to determine influence of paragenetic factors (year - climate) on production, chemical composition (milk fat and proteins content) and hygiene milk quality (number of somatic cells count), in two herds (A and B). Climate characteristics in 2003 and 2004 were different, regarding precipitations quantity and vegetation. Milking capacity control was carried out according to AT method. Chemical composition analyzes and hygiene quality of milk was carried out with infrared spectrometry and fluoro-opto-electronic method. During milking period in 2004, on island Pag, there were considerably more precipitations and due to the fact, vegetation was exuberant, which influenced on bigger total milk production in lactation (P<0.01) regarding to 2003. Average milk fat content (%) in milk was in 2003 on family farm A, higher regarding on family farm B (P<0.01). However, because of higher quantities of produced milk on family farm B, total yield of milk fat (9.43 kg) was higher (P<0.01) regarding to family farm A (7,93 kg). During 2004, differences in milk fat yield were very small and were not significant. Average daily milk quantity was from 689 mL (year 2003) to 940 mL (year 2004) on family farm A, apropos from 840 mL (year 2003) to 850 mL (year 2004) on family farm B. Between individual production features and individual milk quality parameters, significant correlations coefficients were determined. Based on results, it can be concluded that influence of paragenetic factors on individual production features and milk quality was significant.
