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Objective of the current research was to evaluate the effects of the production system (conventional vs. organic), on milk yield and major chemical components from milk, in Turcana sheep reared under highland conditions. In the conventional system, the ewes had an average milk production of 76.81±2.99kg, with limits ranging between 64.67kg and 92.01kg. While in the organic production system, the Turcana ewes produced on average 78.95±4.59kg of milk, with variations between 69.29kg and 86.93kg. Differences between the two experimental groups were not significant (p>0.05). Although, the ewes reared under organic production outperformed the conventional managed ewes, on average by 2.14kg of milk/lactation. Fat percentage was on average 8.38±0.330%, with limits ranging between 7.25% and 8.97% in the conventional system, and of 7.72±0.261% with limits of 6.95% and 8.65% in the organic system. Protein levels were of 5.91±0.246% in the conventional system, with limits ranging between 5.26% and 6.79%, while in the organic trial the average 5.64±0.184%, ranging 5.11% and 6.31%. Current results suggest that the potential to produce and market organic sheep milk under highlands conditions is high in Romania, and will not have detrimental effects on the overall production or milk quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the research was to determine the comparative content offat, protein, lactose, total non-fat substances (SNF) and total dry matter (TDM) in raw sheep milk during the ascending phase and the plateau period of lactation. Based on the primary data, correlations were calculated in order to identify a single component form milk, which to be correlated closely with the main components of which the quality and yield ofproducts processed from sheep's milk depends on. The study was performed on 54 ewes form the Turcana breed, reared in Timis and Caras-Severin counties. During the plateau phase of lactation the data registered the highest values, and the differences as compared to the ascending phase of lactation were significant (p<0.05) for all milk components, except the SNF. The correlations were significant and positive between SNF and fat and protein contents for each of the two phases, and per entire studied period (r = +0.974 and r=+0.770, respectively). SNF was negatively correlated only with fat content, while lactose was with all components except SNF, with which it was correlated weakly and positive. Based on the current results we recommend selection of dairy sheep for SNF or fat content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]