The first observation of milkability of the sheep breeds Tsigai, Improved Valachian and their crosses with Lacaune

The aim of this study was to evaluate the milkability of two purebred breeds Tsigai (TS, n = 14) and Improved Valachian (IV, n = 15), their crosses with Lacaune 50% TS × 50% LC (n = 13), 50% IV × 50% LC (n = 9) and purebred Lacaune (LC, n = 19). The measurements of the milk flow were performed on day 90 ± 10 of lactation during evening machine milking. The recording of milk flow was carried out by the equipment for graduated electronic recording of milk level in a jar in one-second intervals. The milk flow curves were classified into four types: 1 peak (1P), 2 peaks (2P), plateau I (maximal milk flow over 0.4 l/min (PLI)), plateau II (maximal milk flow less than 0.4 l/min (PLII)). The last two types refer to ewes with steady milk flow during milking. Udder morphology traits were measured (cisternal depth, teat angle) and subjectively assessed by the use of linear scores (cistern depth, teat position). The average total milk yield was 0.335 ± 0.043, 0.392 ± 0.042, 0.407 ± 0.042 l in purebred TS, IV, LC resp. and 0.397 ± 0.046, 0.434 ± 0.056 l in crosses TS × LC and IV × LC, resp. The frequency of occurrence of different types of milk flow /1P:2P:PLI:PLII/ was 27, 47, 22, 4%, resp. The highest milk yield was observed in ewes with PLI (0.481 ± 0.045 l), followed by 2P (0.401 ± 0.029 l) and 1P (0.293 ± 0.036 l) type of milk flow curve (P = 0.0112). An opposite effect was observed in the percentage of machine stripping yield where 1P had 41.94 ± 3.83%, 2P 21.29 ± 3.04% and PLI 15.90 ± 4.70% (P < 0.0001). LC and TS × LC, IV × LC had the more horizontal teat position than TS and IV. It can be supposed that at least during around 69% milkings the sheep released oxytocin in response to machine milking and that TS, IV and their crosses with LC also have a suitable potential for machine milking.