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Around 10.5 million tonnes of sheep milk are produced worldwide, and around 3.1 million tonnes in Europe. In Europe, sheep milk production has stagnated slightly in recent years and currently accounts for around 1/3 of the global production. Due to its high content of dry matter, milk fat, total protein and casein, sheep milk is an excellent raw material for cheese production. Milk processing and cheese making are not only economically important, but also part of the cultural heritage based on a long tradition, often taking place in rural and less developed areas. Milk production and quality are very complex and are influenced by numerous factors, the most important of which are breed, feeding and body condition, parity and stage of lactation, milking and udder health, and environmental factors. In addition, different types of stress such as heat stress, nutritional stress, weaning stress, shearing stress, stress of regrouping, etc. have a significant impact on the welfare and health of the sheep as well as on the quantity of milk produced, its chemical composition, processing characteristics and the economic efficiency of the flock. In recent years, due to climate change, there has been an increasing number of studies on the effects of heat stress on the reproductive and production characteristics of sheep, as well as on their welfare and health. In addition, heat stress is often associated to the feed and the lack of water. The effects of stress are particularly pronounced in extensive sheep farming and milk production, which are prevalent in sheep farming. The aim of this paper is to describe the effects of the main types of stress on the quantity and chemical composition of sheep milk and on animal welfare.

The research objective was to examine the influence of the first third of the lactation stage on 18 mineral elements in Alpine goat milk. The research was carried out on 20 goats of the French-Alpine breed, which were on average 5 years old and in the fourth lactation. The goats were monitored on the 30th and the 90th day of lactation. Their milk was analysed for chemical composition by the infrared spectroscopy. By means of inductively coupled plasma (ICP), a total of 18 minerals were analysed (Ca, P, K, Na, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Se, Mn, Mo, Co, Cr, Ni, Cd, Pb, As and Hg). The period of milk sampling in the first third of lactation significantly influenced the changes in concentrations of Na, Se, Mo, Cr, Ni and As. Significantly higher concentrations of Na and As were determined in milk sampled on the 90th day, while lower concentrations of Se, Mo, Cr and Ni were determined in milk sampled on the 30th day of the first third of lactation. Analysis of the correlation coefficients between the investigated trace elements and the selected toxic elements in Alpine goat milk showed a significantly positive correlation between Ca:Mg, Ca:P, Ca:Co, Ca:Ni, Ca:Mo; Mg:P, Fe:As, Pb:Cd and P:Ni. In the first third of lactation, Alpine goat milk contained a very low concentration of heavy metals. The described changes indicate that Alpine goat milk is rich in essential elements, while the concentration of toxic elements is very low in the first third of lactation.

Recently, many feedstuffs have been introduced to animal diets to increase the content of beneficial fatty acids in dairy products. Therefore, this study aimed to research the effect of including hempseed cake in dairy goats concentrate mixtures on the chemical composition and fatty acid profile of semi-hard goat cheese that is traditionally produced on family farm. The feeding of goats was based on meadow hay ad libitum and 1200 g/day/head of concentrate mixture. In the first experimental group, 60 g/kg DM of hempseed cake (HSC-60) was administered; meanwhile, in the second experimental group, 120 g/kg DM of hempseed cake (HSC-120) was included in the diet. The chemical composition of cheese was mostly unaffected by enriching the goats’ nutrition with hempseed cakes. Dietary HSC-120 increased C18:1 n-9 and C18:3 n-6 compared to the control, and increased C22:6 n-3 in cheese compared to HSC- 60, although both HSC-120 and HSC-60 lowered n-6/n-3 ratios in cheese. Feeding goats with HSC-120 may have contributed to the development of the functional properties of semi-hard goat cheese made on family farm, as compared to the cheese produced by goats fed with commercial concentrate mixtures.

The research objective was to determine haematological and biochemical parameters in blood of 30 Lacaune dairy sheep during different stages of lactation (early: 60th, medium: 120th and late: 180th days). The sheep were on average 4 years old, in 3rd lactation. Haematological parameters were determined in whole blood (white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), haemoglobin (HGB) concentration, haematocrit (HCT) value, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell haemoglobin (MCH), mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and platelet (PLT) count), and a blood smear was used for determination of differential blood cell count. Determined biochemical parameters in blood serum were: concentration of minerals (Ca, P-inorganic, Mg and Fe), concentration of total proteins (TP), albumin (ALB), globulins (GLOB), urea, glucose (GUK), cholesterol (CHOL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglycerides (TGC), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), enzyme activities (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and total superoxide dismutase (SOD). With progression of lactation stages, sheep blood tests proved significant increase in WBC, RBC, HGB, HCT, monocytes, Fe, urea, TP, ALB, CHOL, HDL, LDL, BHB, AST, GGT and ALT as well as a decrease in lymphocytes, Mg, GUK and SOD. Determined changes in haematological and biochemical blood parameters of Lacaune dairy sheep during different lactation stages proved good quality nutrition of sheep and indicate the need to include this dairy breed/genotype in prospective schemes for definition of referential values for these indicators in sheep.

The objective of this study was to research correlations between milk composition and selected blood indicators of liver function in ewes during lactation. The research was conducted with samples of milk and blood from Travnik Pramenka ewes (n = 99). Samples were collected in the area of western Slavonia in Croatia from lactating sheep grazing on natural pastures. Chemical composition of sheep milk was analysed as well as biochemical parameters in serum. Positive correlation between ALB: TGC, ALB: ALT, GUK: GGT, CHOL: ALT and AST: GGT was determined, while significant negative correlation was determined between GUK: ALB, GUK: TGC, GUK: ALT, ALB: GGT as well as ALT: GGT. Significant positive correlation was determined between blood and milk indicators, like ALB protein (r = 0.243), ALB: DMNF (r = 0.309) and ALB: SCC (r = 0.249), as well as negative correlation between TGC: MY (r = -0.264), ALT: protein (r = -0.258), lactose: TGC (r = -0.274) and ALT: DMNF (r = -0.234). The relations between indicators of milk composition, milk production and ewes blood indicators as well as their mutual connections indicate the justification of using the analysis of liver status indicators. Accordingly, by using these relations metabolic pathways of liver status indicators could be better monitored, which is important for practice regarding prevention of possible feeding errors and prevention of major production losses while maintaining the health of lactating sheep.

Due to the high content of crude protein and high concentration of unsaturated fatty acids, pumpkin seed cake (PSC) could be a good quality feedstuff for ruminants, while extruded linseed (ELS) has already shown some beneficial effect on fatty acids proportion of goat milk. Besides, lactation is the most demanding period when monitoring the metabolic condition of animal. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of PSC and ELS replacing soybean meal in diets of dairy goats on blood haemato-chemical parameters and milk quality. A 28 lactating French Alpine dairy goats were monitored within 20 days in early lactation. Diet of each groups had a balanced content of energy and crude protein, and a slight difference in lipid content. Goats in control group (n = 9) received soybean meal and extruded soybean. In experimental groups soybean was partially replaced with ELS (n = 10) or completely with PSC (n = 9). Dietary treatments had no effect on haemato-chemical parameters, although PSC increased concentration of globulins in serum. PSC lowered linoleic acid compared to control. ELS increased proportion of α-linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and total n-3 fatty acids in milk. Positive correlations were found between non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and ratio C18:1/C15:0, NEFA and ratio C17:0/C15:0, as well as β-hydroxybutyrate and ratio C17:0/C15:0. The replacement of soybean meal with PSC or partially with ELS is feasible with respect to haemato-chemical parameters of early lactating dairy goats, while ELS had much beneficial effect on fatty acids compared to PSC.

The aim of this research was to monitor the metabolic profile of blood and the quality of ewes’ milk during lactation in organic farming. Biological investigations were carried out on 32 clinically healthy Merinolandschaf ewes during the 3th lactation on the 20th, 60th and 100th day of lactation. Ewes’ milk was analyzed for the non fat dry matter, milk fat, protein, lactose, urea, the somatic cells count (SCC) and te total viable cell number (CFU), as well as for the concentration of fatty acids, atherogenic (AI), thrombogenic (TI) and Δ9-desaturase activity index. Concentrations of minerals (Ca-calcium, P-phosphorus-inorganic, Mg-magnesium, and Fe-iron), biochemical parameters (urea, glucose, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulin, NEFA-non-esterified fatty acids, BHBA-beta-hydroxybutyrate) and enzyme activity (ALT-alanine aminotransferase, AST-aspartate aminotransferase, ALP-alkaline phosphatase, CK-creatine kinase and GGT-γ-glutamyl transferase) were analyzed in blood serum. Chemical composition of milk differed among different stages of lactation, which was marked by the increased content of milk fat, the decreased urea concentration, as well as by numeorus changes of fatty acid concentration observed along with lactation progression. Number of SCC and CFU in milk increased during lactation. AT and TI were appropriate in all stages of lactation, which resulted in satisfactory quality of ewes’ milk from organic farming. Determined concentrations of certain biochemical parameters (NEFA, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, Ca and Fe) in blood of ewes originating from organic farming indicated lower deficit of energy during the 20th day of lactation, as well as a lack of Ca and Fe concentrations in blood, which most likely occurred due to higher loss through milk. Accordingly, the blood metabolic profile can be considered as an indicator for feeding and health status of ewes during lactation in organic farming.

The aim of the present study was to determine the lactation stage effect on the concentration of essential and selected toxic elements in the sheep’s milk of Dubrovačka ruda. The research was conducted with 23 sheep, average age of 4 years, of 3rd lactation, while the milk samples were taken during the early (60th day), middle (90th day) and late (120th day) lactation stage. The sheep were selected according to uniformed body development, adequate health status, body condition, equable age (4 years), parity (3rd lactation), stage of lactation (±7 days) and litter size (single). Sheep were reared on the extensive Mediterranean pastures, reared indoors afterwards, fed with hay ad libitum and feed mixtures in average 0.5 kg/day. Milk sample was collected during morning milking from each sheep. The digested samples were analyzed with continuous flow hydride generation technique using inductively coupled plasma for Ca, Mg, K, P, Na, Cu, Fe, Zn, Mn, Ni, Mo, Co, Cr, Cd and Pb concentrations. Significant increase of Mg, Na, Se, Mn, Mo and Cd concentrations were found in milk as well as decrease of K concentration during the lactation. Although the concentration of Ca, Cu, Cr and As in milk during the lactation is increased, the differences between the lactation stages were not observed. Concentrations of P, Fe, Ni, Pb and Hg in milk of Dubrovačka ruda did not differ during the lactation. The low concentrations of Cr, Cd, Pb, As, Hg in milk indicate the safety for consumers and preserved environment of Dubrovnik-Neretva County.

Numerous studies have demonstrated the possibility of modeling the content of fatty acids of milk fat, in order to increase the contents of desirable n-3 unsaturated fatty acids and decrease saturated fatty acid with adequate nutrition of goats. Previous studies showed that the milk of goats on pasture increased content of caproic (C6:0), caprylic (C8:0), conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, rumenic acid, cis-9, trans-11 C18:2), linolenic (C18:3), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6) and total content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In the same group of goats lower content of palmitoleic (C16:1), linoleic (C18:2) and total n-6 unsaturated fatty acids was found, as well as lower n-6/n-3 ratio compared with group of goats kept indoors and fed with alfalfa hay. In milk of goats fed with diets supplemented with safflower oil, content of CLA significantly increased, while goats fed with diets supplement with linseed oil had significantly higher content of C18:3 in milk, compared with group of goats fed without addition of these oils. Goats fed with addition of protected fish oil had significant transfer of eicosapentaenoic-EPA and docosahexaenoic-DHA fatty acids in milk. Protected fish oil reduced the negative impact of long chain fatty acids on the activity of ruminal microorganisms, consumption and digestibility of fiber, as well as inhibition of synthesis of fatty acids in milk gland. When adding unprotected fish oil, increase of stearic (C18:0) and oleic (C18:1) fatty acids occurred, because of the biohydrogenation of polyunsaturated fatty acids in rumen.

Determination of correct feeding regimes for calves is very important as it directly influences calves’ productive and reproductive traits, as well as duration of adult animal exploitation period. As the liquid feed is the most expensive component, its importance also has an economic aspect in calves rearing. The experiment was carried out on 30 Holstein calves with the aim to determine productive, economic and health effects of feeding calves with whole milk in different periods. Calves were divided into three equal groups (10 calves in each group). Experiment was carried out in the period from calving up to the 60th day of calf ’s age. All groups were given whole milk, however, duration of whole milk feeding differed among groups. Group 1 consumed whole milk from birth up to the 30th day of age, group 2 from birth up to the 20th day of age and group 3 from birth up to the 10th day of age. Afterwards, all groups were fed with milk replacement formula up to the 60th day of age. Suggested technological solutions in calves feeding within this experiment were analyzed through evaluation of basic fattening characteristics, monitoring of diarrhea occurrences and calculating costs per kg of weight gain per each group. Statistical analysis referring to calves body weight, daily gain and liquid feed conversion during the 1st month of experiment proved the best values for group 1, which were statistically highly significant (P

The objective of this study was to establish the impact of crossing the indigenous Cres sheep with Awassi and, respectively, Awassi and East Friesian sheep on the milk yield and quality. For this purpose, through regular monthly milk yield recordings a total of 824individual milk samples from 139 sheep in the second lactation of the same flock were collected, of which: 46 purebred Cres sheep, CS; 33 crosses with 50 % Cres sheep and 50 % Awassi, CA; 60 crosses with 50 % Cres sheep, 25 % Awassi and 25 % East Friesian, CAEF. The obtained results show a significant (P