Sheep Dairy System

Corriedale's milk potential and the effect of the weaning and shearing strategy

Abstract

A machine dairy system of production in Corriedale ewes was evaluated during 4 year. The aims of these studies were to quantify the milk yield potential of the breed, the effect of different weaning times and the influence of the time of shearing of the ewes on milk production. The ewes grazed improved pastures at stocking rate of 4 ewes per ha. Milk yield during twice a day milking period was 69 liters in 100 d (n=297) and the effect of age of the ewe, year and previous milking periods were found to be significant. 26% of the ewes did not reach 100 d milking, the main causes being low production (below 30 ml/d): 13.4%, and mastitis 6.4% (mainly at the begining of the milking period). Milk yield during partial weaning of the lambs in a period of 20 days was found to be 8 liters, and a low fat content in milk was recorded during two years (3.13% and 1.77%). No significant differences in milk production in 100 days were found in ewes that had their lambs weaned 48 hours post-partum vs ewes that had their lambs totally weaned at 30-35 days of age (n=67). It was also encountered that the shearing of the ewes at the middle of the milking period did not alter milk production.