Milk flow kinetics in Tsigai and Improved Valachian ewes as an important milkability trait

Abstract

The aim of this review is to call attention to the possibility of the use of the evaluation of milk flow and morphological characteristics in ewes in relation to breeds. The recorded milk flow can be used to evaluate the milkability of ewes during machine milking. Moreover, the intensity of milk flow demonstrates the physiological reaction of dairy sheep to stimulation by machine milking. This reaction can be indicated by different total milk yield, too. It is possible to distinguish four basic types of milk flow: one peak (1P; removal of milk only from cistern), two peaks (2P; removal of milk from cistern and from alveoli in response to the milk ejection reflex), plateau I (PLI; milk flow patterns with steady milk flow during milking and maximal milk flow rate > 0.4 l/min) and plateau II (PLII; milk flow patterns with steady milk flow during milking and maximal milk flow rate ≤ 0.4 l/min). The highest total milk yield was measured in dairy sheep with PLI type of milk flow and the lowest with 1P type of milk flow. In breeds Tsigai, Improved Valachian and Lacaune all types of milk flows were observed, but with different percentages of the occurrence.