Centesimal composition of milk and mastitis incidence on grazing and feedlot bergamasca sheep

Abstract

The effect was evaluated of production systems (animals grazing and in feedlot) on milk centesimal composition, such as mastitis incidence on Bergamasca sheep. 31 animals divided in two groups were used. Group 1 Pasture (P): animals pasture on Panicum maximum var. Tanzania; and Group 2 Feedlot (C): in feedlot animals fed with corn silage and concentrate diet at 85:15% ratio during the third end of gestation an 65:35% ratio during lactation. Lambs were separated from mothers 48 hours after parturition. Weekly samples at the morning and the afternoon, to analyze milk centesimal composition were collected. There was no difference (P<0.05) for milk protein, fat and total solids content between treatments. For lactose content, during 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of lactation there were found difference (P<0.05) between animals from grazing and from feedlot. Mastitis occurred in 35.29% of feedlot ewes and just in 28.57% of grazing ewes.