Effects of Feeding Management System on Milk Production and Milk Quality from Sheep of the Turcana Breed

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The identification of an efficient feeding system for sheep that determines, in the short period of lactation, an increase in the quantity and quality of milk represents a concern at the level of microfarms. The Turcana breed of sheep is a mixed breed, where the milk production is low compared to the specialized breeds for milk production. At the level of Romania, there is an absence of concrete studies regarding the feeding system and analysis of the quality of sheep’s milk. The purpose of our study was to monitor the effect of the administration of a fodder complex prepared in a microfarm to determine the increase in milk production and quality. The milk was analyzed on the basis of physical–biological parameters, the content of trace elements and heavy metals, and microbiological parameters. The values of the physicochemical parameters analyzed in the milk from the sheep with additional feed indicated an improvement in the quality of the milk, and the values of the microbiological parameters indicated a good state of health of the sheep. On the basis of the analysis of the content of heavy metals in milk, it was established that there are no sources of pollution in the grazing area. ABSTRACT: Milk and dairy products are among the foods preferred by consumers, as they are rich in nutrients, have high biological values, are easily accessible, and present a low risk to health. This study aimed to comparatively analyze the milk from sheep of the Turcana breed that were subjected to different feeding systems. The milk from the sheep was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively; in this sense, the following were determined: daily milk production (DMY), physical parameters (pH, freezing point), chemical composition (lactose (L), fats (F), total proteins (TP), non-fat solids (Snf)), the content of heavy metals and trace elements (Zn, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb), and microbiological parameters (the number of somatic cells (SCC), the total number of aerobic mesophilic germs that develop at 30 °C (NTG), the number of coliform bacteria (CT), the number of Staphylococcus aureus). Administration of the fodder complex produced, on the farm determined a slight quantitative increase in milk production, as well as in fat, protein and lactose content. The content of trace elements Zn, Fe, and Mn registered increases in milk samples from sheep that were administered the fodder complex. The content of heavy metals did not indicate any source of pollution in the grazing area. Furthermore, the microbiological parameters were within the allowed limits, indicating a good general state of health at the emergency level and the absence of microbiological contamination of the milk samples.