Effect of Palpable Udder Defects on Milk Yield, Somatic Cell Count, and Milk Composition in Non-Dairy Ewes

SIMPLE SUMMARY: The occurrence of udder defects in ewes impacts the productive lifespan of the affected ewe and reduces their lamb production. This study investigated the effects of palpable udder defects on milk yield and milk composition in Romney ewes. The findings showed that the effect of udder-half defects on udder-half milk yield was substantial; however, there was no difference in individual (whole udder) ewe milk production between ewes with one udder-half defective and both normal udder-halves. This was due to a compensatory increase in milk production of the normal udder half when the other udder half was defective, with the exception being ewes that retained the defects for several weeks. No notable difference in milk composition was observed between defective and normal udder halves, except for solids non-fat (SNF). This study shows that udder defects affect milk production in non-dairy ewes, highlighting the potential effects on lamb production. ABSTRACT: In non-dairy ewes, udder defects hinder the survival and weight gain of their pre-weaned lambs. The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of palpable udder defects on milk yield, somatic cell count (SCC), and milk composition in non-dairy Romney ewes. Ewes with a history of udder defects or normal udders were selected for the study. Of a total of 48 ewes that lambed, 30 ewes reared at least one lamb, and were milked six times, once weekly, for the first six weeks of lactation. Udder halves were palpated and scored at each milking event. Multivariate linear mixed models examined the impacts of udder defects on udder-half and whole-udder milk yield, SCC, and milk composition (fat, protein, lactose, total solids, and solids non-fat (SNF)). Across the six examinations, 24.7% of the total 352 udder-half examinations were observed to be defective. Udder halves that were defective at least once produced on average 57.9% less (p < 0.05) milk than normal udder halves, while normal udder halves with a contralateral defective half yielded 33.5% more (p < 0.05) milk than normal udder halves. Successive occurrence of both hard and lump udder defect categories in an udder-half, udder defect detection early in lactation, and a high frequency of udder defect detection were all associated with udder-half milk yield loss (p < 0.05). At the whole-udder level, no differences in milk yield (p > 0.05) were observed between those with one udder-half defective and both normal udder-halves. However, udders in which one udder half was categorised as hard but progressed to lump and remained as lump until 42 days of lactation produced less (p < 0.05) milk compared with normal udders. With the exception of SNF, there were no significant associations (p > 0.05) between milk composition parameters and udder defect. Overall, these findings emphasise the importance of udder health in non-dairy ewes and the potential effect of udder defects on their lambs.