Evaluation of lactation models in pasture-based dairy ewes in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Milk of Kupres, Privor and Stolac dairy ewe breeds is used for the production of the fine cheese varieties. To the best of our knowledge there are no information about milk production and milk composition of these pasture-based dairy ewes. The aim was to determine the best lactation curve model in autochthonous pasture-based dairy ewes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Milk production was recorded and milk composition sampled (milk fat and protein) during early, mid and late lactation in 129 Kupres, 141 Privor and 129 Stolac pramenka ewes. Four lactation models (Wilmink, Cubic, Ali-Shaeffer and Guo-Swalve) were compared and selected based on the lowest coefficient of determination and root mean square error. The Guo-Swalve model described all of the measured variables most successfully. Kupres pramenka dairy ewe was the highest producing breed with 139 kg of milk during 175 days of lactation (0.79 kg/d; between lactation day 50 to 225) and showed the standard lactation curve. Privor pramenka produced 118 kg of milk during 175 days of lactation (0.67 kg/d) and Stolac pramenka 101 kg of milk during 175 days of lactation (0.58 kg/d). Both showed atypical constantly decreasing shape of the lactation curve common in low producing dairy ewes. The prediction of milk yield and milk composition from the Guo-Swalve model could be used by the national breeding program for the Kupres, Privor and Stolac pramenka sheep breeds. Additional research during a more stable management conditions is recommended for Privor and Stolac pramenka.