Milk Composition of Najdi, Australian (Border Leicester X Merino) Ewes and Their Crossbred PDF

Keywords

ewes, Saudi Arabia, milk

Abstract

Gross composition and nitrogen distribution of ewe milk obtained from three breeds (Najdi, Australian and Najdi X Australian) in the Central region of Saudi Arabia were studied. The average results of pH, acidity, fat, protein, lactose, ash, and total solids for Najdi were 6.63 ± 0.01, 0.17 ± 0.01%, 5.31± 0.55%, 4.71± 0.28%, 4.48 ± 0.15%, 0.86 ± 0.02 and 15.36 ± 0.93%; for Australian were 6.64 ± 0.02, 0.16 ± 0.01%, 6.51± 0.63%, 5.60 ± 0.32, 4.65 ± 0.26, 0.87 ± 0.02% and 17.63 ± 1.05%, and for the Najdi X Australian were 6.63 ± 0.02, 0.17 ± 0.01%, 5.74 ± 0.63%, 5.14 ± 0.32%. 4.61± 0.20%, 0.86 ± 0.02% and 16.35 ±0.85%, respectively. Moreover, the milk of Australian ewe contained the highest amount of protein fractions whereas the Najdi ewe's milk had the lowest values. However, Najdi ewes had the highest average daily milk yield (1.60 ± 0.21 kg), whereas Australian ewes produced the lowest amount (0.91 ±0.17 kg). Results also indicated that crossing caused heterosis effect of cross ewes which produced better milk constituents compared to the Najdi ewes and better milk yield compare to the Australian ewes. In fact, ewe's milk was evidently appreciably richer than cow's milk in nearly all the constituents determined, with the notable exception of lactose.