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This study explores the relationships between composition, hygienic quality, and color values of milk to evaluate whether colorimetry could be used as a valid predictor of the quality of raw milk and its coagulation. For this purpose, we performed analyses in 1,200 individual samples of Manchega sheep milk from 4 flocks from the region of Castilla–La Mancha, Spain. Based on the measured variables, we determined the differences and similarities between coagulating and noncoagulating samples using discriminant analysis techniques. The variables with a higher discriminant ability were lactose content, somatic cell score, pH, and the color values lightness (L*) and red/green value (a*). The model based on color values showed a predictive ability similar to that found in the model based on milk composition and hygienic quality. Canonical correlation analysis allowed us to explore the relationships between both sets of variables. Canonical correlations for the first and second pair of canonical values were 0.794 and 0.438, respectively. Both values were significant and represented 92.82% of the observed variability. The correlation structure showed that color values had a strong correlation with fat and protein content and with total solids, and they had a weak correlation with lactose content and somatic cell score. The 2 first combinations of standardized canonical variability could be considered a predictable measure of the composition and, to a lesser extent, the hygiene of milk. Measurement of color values could be a rapid and effective means of supplementing standard analyses when determining the coagulation ability of Manchega sheep milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the relationship among size and productivity variables with the economic performance of beekeeping. For this purpose, 40 production units located in La Pampa were analyzed. The results obtained from the canonical analysis indicate a strong positive correlation between the economic performance variables and the size of the production unit. Therefore, any variation that occurs in the size of the farm should produce a change in the same sense of economic performance. This suggests that most beekeepers produce at increasing returns to scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Spain, ewe milk is mainly used for cheesemaking, and farming systems have traditionally been based on the use of autochthonous breeds. However, in recent years, the progressive introduction of highly productive foreign breeds in Spanish farms has led to an increasing interest in the characterization of dairy sheep breeds to evaluate whether genetic selection schemes should focus on productivity or milk technological aptitude. The purpose of this work was to explore milk composition and coagulation to classify 4 of the main dairy sheep breeds used in Spain. This study included 832 individual ewe milk samples from the breeds Manchega, Assaf, Merino de Grazalema, and Merino de Los Pedroches. Samples were analyzed for native pH, composition (fat, protein, lactose, and total solids), coagulation properties, and individual laboratory curd yield. An indicator of coagulation efficiency was also determined. Canonical discriminant analysis was performed to establish differences and similarities among breeds based on the measured variables. In addition, cluster analysis was performed to study and quantify the concrete relationships among the discriminated groups. Discriminant analysis proved to be a powerful tool to accurately draw distinctions between breeds. In all cases, discrimination among breeds was evident and the 4 breeds could be easily differentiated. Cluster analysis showed greater similarity between Merino de Grazalema and Assaf compared with the other breeds, and F-statistics indicated a higher discriminating ability for the variables related to milk composition. However, Merino de Grazalema and Manchega were difficult to separate according to milk composition, but the coagulation process differenced them clearly. Coagulation also evidenced similarities between Manchega and Merino de Los Pedroches, although the latter was revealed to be the most different breed of all 4, which could lay the ground for its differentiation as an independent breed in the Official Catalogue of Spanish Livestock Breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Organic dairy sheep farms have been analyzed by multivariate analysis to identify and characterize typological groups in organic dairy sheep systems; with the aim of evaluating their technical and economic performance, and social implications, to propose the corresponding measures of improvement or support. This analysis was conducted on 30 farms in the Spanish region of Castilla-La Mancha, where 164 technical, economic and social variables were analyzed. This analysis allowed the selection of 4 principal components related to size, use of labour, land use, level of supplementation and productive and economic performance. The subsequent cluster analysis classified the farms into three groups. Group I called the Family of Subsistence, has the smallest flocks (24.9LU) with the lowest stocking rate (0.12LU/ha) and the lower productivity of labour per animal (0.72UTA/100 sheep). Group II with larger flocks (138.7LU) is a system semi-intensive commercial, with higher levels of technology and less use of family labour (51.9%). Group III consists of family farms with a commercial profile, medium-sized flocks (72.6LU), which has the best performance in terms of global sustainability, given the ability of farmers in organic productions with competitive vision. These systems show notable technical weaknesses due to the lack of agriculture and livestock integration; besides, the high stocking rates exceed carrying capacities and lead to an increased of supplementary feed and, consequently, of feeding cost. Hence the studied farms have a high cost of production and low profitability. As a result of this, the continuity of Groups I and II depends on a profitable result, enough to support the family economy, and is dependent on subsidies. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]