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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]

Objective of the current research was to evaluate the effects of crossbreeding the French Lacaune breed with Romanian indigenous Turcana sheep on milk production traits in crossbred ewes. Milk yield in Turcana ewes was on average 77.98±2.73 kg, with limits ranging between 64.67kg and 92.01kg. While in the F1 Lacaune x Turcana, the average milk production was of 109.04±4.70 kg, with limits ranging between 89.23kg and 129.76kg. The F1 Lacaune x Turcana ewes outperformed significantly (p<0.001) the Turcana breed. The fat percentage in milk was on average of 8.02±0.22% with limits ranging between 6.95% and 8.98% in the Turcana breed, and of 8.60±0.40%, ranging between 5.45% and 11.06% in the F1 Lacaune x Turcana ewes. Genotype had no significant influence (p>0.05) on the fat percentage from milk. Current results show that by using Lacaune rams for crossbreeding with the unimproved Turcana, the progeny will have significantly higher milk yields, and thus, the farm returns could be much improved in sheep enterprises that practice the semi-intensive pasture-based farming system. Thus, current results should be advertised to both farmers and the breeders associations, in order for the sheep farmers to take advantage of the breed complementarity found between the specialized Lacaune and the local Turcana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

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]