Milk Production of Lacaune Sheep with Different Degrees of Crossing with Manchega Sheep in a Commercial Flock in Spain

摘要

Milk production in Lacaune–Manchega sheep, Robles Jimenez et al. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of the degree of crossbreeding (Lacaune x Manchega) and environmental factors on milk production. Different degrees of purity of the Lacaune breed crossed with Manchega ewes were used as follows: 100% Lacaune, 7/8, 13/16, 3/4, 5/8 and 1/2 Lacaune:Manchega. A mixed model was used to evaluate the level of crossbreeding and environmental factors on milk production. The 100%, 13/16, and 3/4 Lacaune genotypes had the highest milk yields with respect to the 1/2 Lacaune/Manchega breed ( < 0.001). It was concluded that 13/16 and 3/4 Lacaune/Manchega ewes presented the highest milk yields with respect to the other crosses.