Aptitude to machine milking of Merino Beira Baixa ewes. 1.Morphological charact...

• Author(s): Andrade, C.S.C.R. ; Carreiro, F.M. ; Almeida, L.M.
• Date: 1989
• Persistent ID: http://hdl.handle.net/10400.11/1065
• Origin: Repositório Científico do Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco
• Subject(s): Merino Beira Baixa ewe; milking; milking machine
• Document Type: Conference Object
• Language: English

Description

For morphological characterization of the udder of «Merino Beira Baixa» ewes (double aptitude), from centre interior of Portugal, 4 series of measurements were performed with 3 weeks intervals, since the beginning of milking (57•7 days after lambing). We have observed the next parameters: length, width, volume and posterior area of udder; width between teats and their relative positions, the angle between the teats and the vertical axis, length and width of teats; cisternal width. Daily milk production represents about 80 % of the udder volume and the correlation coeficient for these parameters (r=0.54), was the highest one founded. Observed coeficient correlation between daily milk production and width between teats was r=0.53. All studied variables (morphological characteristics), explain 38,13 % of milk production variabi¬lity. Udder volume and width between teats explain 37.99 % of the same variability. Results suggest that udder morphology of «Merino Beira Baixa» ewes is a weak indicator of animal’s milk value.