LACTATION PERFORMANCE AND LACTATION CURVE TRAITS IN GRAZING KATAHDIN SHEEP

María de Lourdes Alonso Herrera; Homero Salinas-González; Eric Groose; Jorge A. Maldonado Jáquez; Glafiro  Torres-Hernández; Francisco Guadalupe Echavarría Chairez; Alberto Muro Reyes; Luis Humberto Díaz García

doi:10.29393/CHJAAS41-46PFSD80046

Autores/as

María de Lourdes Alonso Herrera Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas. Unidad académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. General Enrique Estrada, Zacatecas, Mexico
Homero Salinas-González Cooperative Research, Lincoln University. Jefferson City, Missouri, United States of America
Eric Groose Cooperative Research, Lincoln University. Jefferson City, Missouri, United States of America
Jorge A. Maldonado Jáquez Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP). Campo Experimental La Laguna. Matamoros, Coahuila, Mexico
Glafiro Torres-Hernández Colegio de Postgraduados- Programa de Ganadería. Montecillo, Estado de México, Mexico
Francisco Guadalupe Echavarría Chairez Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP). Campo Experimental Zacatecas. Calera de Víctor Rosales, Zacatecas, Mexico
Alberto Muro Reyes Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas. Unidad académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. General Enrique Estrada, Zacatecas, Mexico
Luis Humberto Díaz García Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas. Unidad académica de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia. General Enrique Estrada, Zacatecas, Mexico

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29393/CHJAAS41-46PFSD80046

Palabras clave:

milk production, small ruminants, hair sheep, selection criteria

Resumen

The aim of this study was to assess lactation traits, lactation curve shape and curve parameters in Katahdin sheep under a grazing-based feeding system. A total of 27 second-parity Katahdin ewes were evaluated. The animals were kept on a pasture composed of cool-season grasses and legumes. The variables recorded included litter size, lamb sex, daily milk yield per ewe, total milk yield per lactation, lactation length, prolificacy, and gestation duration. Statistical analysis was conducted using the GLM procedure. Ewes with twins and female lambs produced more milk per day (58 and 34%), respectively, and per lactation (23%) (p<0.05). The lactation length and milk yield did not differ (p>0.05) when considering litter size and lamb sex. Parameters “a” and “b” showed the highest standard error values with lower estimator values, while parameter "c" showed lower estimator and standard error values. It is concluded that Katahdin ewes under grazing conditions achieve adequate milk production, with positive effects associated with litter size and lamb sex. Additionally, the lactation curve displayed the characteristic shape, with peak production occurring at 3 and 4 weeks postpartum.