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Genetic polymorphisms of the milk protein genes are important because of their effects on quantitative traits and technological properties of milk manufacturing. In the present study we identified the polymorphism of the beta-casein gene in two local sheep breeds (Racka n=98 and Turcana n=111) in Romania. The most studied variants at the ovine beta-casein (CSN2) locus are: A and G variants. Genomic DNA was extracted from hair follicles and beta-casein genotypes were determined by the rapid TaqMan (Applied Biosystems, USA) genotyping assay. Homozygote genotypes GG were not detected in any of the studied breeds. In both, the Racka and Turcana breeds, the A variant had a much higher frequency, 0.98% and 0.97%, respectively. In the current study, the fast DNA tests for genotyping ovine CSN2 were successfully optimized, however, further samples and correlations of genomic results with milk characteristics and production data are needed for the development of future selection schemes of the Romanian indigenous sheep breeds, with the ultimate purpose to produce low allergen level sheep milk and derived dairy products.

The mother-offspring behaviour patterns were monitored in 10 ewes and their new-born lamb(s), during one month, between 1015 am and 1915 pm. Inside the shelter, the temperature ranged between 9 and 20°C and outside, there was sunny weather, with mild wind blow. The observations were made from 10 m distance, without breaking into the sheep's flight zone. There were observed 2130 patterns of ewe-lamb interaction, belonging to 22 main manifestations of maternal behaviour. The most frequently observed behaviour in the ewes was lamb grooming (licking): licking the head of the lamb was observed 356 times (41%), followed by licking the forequarter - 265 times (30%), the back of the lamb - 131 times (15%), the abdominal area - 91 times (10%) and the perineal and/or anogenital area - 36 times (4%). Studies of maternal and neonatal behaviour in sheep contribute to development of management practices, resulting in decreased neonatal mortality, increased meat production and improvement of animal health and welfare. They also confirm the importance of ethology in the veterinary practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of the current comparative study was to evaluate the production and reproduction efficiency in indigenous Turcana and endangered Ratca sheep breeds. Milk yield for the two breeds was on average 68.23±2.33 kg for Ratca ewes and 76.81±2.99 kg in Turcana, respectively, differences between two breeds were significant (p≤0.01). Conception rates were of 97.7±0.87% in Ratca and of 94.8±0.65% in Turcana ewes, respectively, differences were significant between the two flocks (p≤0.05), with the Ratca ewes achieving better fertility rates, compared to their counterparts, the Turcana breed. For prolificacy, the Turcana ewes outperformed significantly (p≤0.01) the Ratca, with an average litter size of 124.2±1.86% and 110.1±1.44%, respectively. Lambs survival and adult ewe culling rates were not affected by the breed factor (p>0.05). Adult ewes body weight when put to ram was significantly (p≤0.05) influenced by the breed, with Turcana ewes having on average 53.8±2.89 kg, compared to 48.0±3.22 kg for the Ratca ewes. The average farm yearly incomes were estimated to be of 150.32 EUR for Ratca ewe-unit and of 144.97 EUR for the Turcana ewe-unit. Although the Turcana outperformed the Ratca ewes, the annual revenue was higher for the Ratca, due to the state conservation subsidy for rare and endangered breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was conducted to evaluate Dorper, Hampshire Down, Bluefaced Leicester and German Blackheaded breeds as terminal sires in an extensive low-input production system under European temperate conditions, when crossed with native Turcana breed as a maternal genotype. The project breeding herd consisted of 300 multiparous purebred Turcana ewes, managed under extensive low-input production system. Six breeding herds were set-up, with randomly selected ewes (50/group) being exposed to Dorper, Hampshire Down, Bluefaced Leicester, German Blackheaded and Turcana (control group) rams. Lambs birth weight was higher (p≤0.01) in F1 Hampshire Down×Turcana and F1 German Blackheaded×Turcana crossbreds compared to control group. Lamb survival from birth to weaning was the lowest (88.4±3.30%) for the Dorper sired lambs, and the highest (94.0±1.84%) in the Bluefaced Leicester sired lambs (p≤0.01). Hampshire Down and German Blackheaded sired lambs had similar survival rates as the purebreds Turcana lambs (p>0.05). Body weight of lambs at the age of 8 months was significantly higher (p≤0.001) in Dorper (41.3±0.51), Bluefaced Leicester (41.2±0.34) and German Blackheaded (42.4±0.58) sired genotypes, while the Hampshire Down half-breeds (39.3±0.65) had intermediate body weights (p≤0.01) compared to the controls (34.6±0.49). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the elimination of the EU milk quota system in dairy cattle, starting 2015, this has raised a great number of questions and concerns regarding the future of the dairy sector. Aim of the current research was to evaluate milk and dairy derived consumer's behaviour and preferences in Timis and Caras-Severin counties from Western Romania, in order to be able to further formulate advice and strategies to both farmers, farm-advisors and policy makers. Data was collected following questionnaire based-interviews, between January and June 2016. There were 202 persons who answered a face-to-face interview, and had to answer to a 15 questions based questionnaire. The main six categories of products purchased were raw fresh milk (13.45%), yogurts (16.42%), sour cream (15.51%), butter (13.00%) and cheeses (19.84%). Out of the respondents, 60.95% preferred cow milk and derived products, 19.68% sheep milk and derived products, 12.38% goat milk and derived products and 6.98% buffalo milk and derived products. Findings of the current study could help both dairy farmers and dairy factories to come up with new products and also in the decision making process when changing the type of products, and also to find new ways to increase their sales, and the overall enterprise economic returns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]