The possibilities of organic sheep and goat production in Serbia

Basic principles that inform organic livestock production are reviewed in this paper, with special emphasis on sheep and goat organic farming in Serbia and provide guidance for development in the future. It also discusses the challenges of the modern age that may affect the viability of sheep and goat production. Today in Serbia grow less than 1.5 million sheep. In terms of breed structures, most of the population makes indigenous Pramenka sheep (80%), while the remaining 20% are: Tsigai, Merinolandschaf, lie de France, Pirot improved, and other less important populations, as well as the crossbreeds with foreign and local domestic sheep. The most popular goat breeds are: balkan goat, domestic white as autochthonous breeds, as well as the Sanental, Alpen and Toggenburg breeds. Genetic improvement is significantly increased level of production of all species of domestic animals. However, native animals selected for high and efficient production are exposed to greater risk. This primarily refers to the physiological and immunological problems, but would generally be said that all this leads to distortion of harmony between the organism and the environment and the repercussions on the molecular level. Sustainable development of sheep and goat breeding in Serbia must be kept in mind. Possibilities for further development of organic sheep and goat production are great, and it can be expected that it will increase in the future and can become a significant branch of livestock production

The possibilities of organic sheep and goat production in Serbia

Basic principles that inform organic livestock production are reviewed in this paper, with special emphasis on sheep and goat organic farming in Serbia and provide guidance for development in the future. It also discusses the challenges of the modern age that may affect the viability of sheep and goat production. Today in Serbia grow less than 1.5 million sheep. In terms of breed structures, most of the population makes indigenous Pramenka sheep (80%), while the remaining 20% are: Tsigai, Merinolandschaf, lie de France, Pirot improved, and other less important populations, as well as the crossbreeds with foreign and local domestic sheep. The most popular goat breeds are: balkan goat, domestic white as autochthonous breeds, as well as the Sanental, Alpen and Toggenburg breeds. Genetic improvement is significantly increased level of production of all species of domestic animals. However, native animals selected for high and efficient production are exposed to greater risk. This primarily refers to the physiological and immunological problems, but would generally be said that all this leads to distortion of harmony between the organism and the environment and the repercussions on the molecular level. Sustainable development of sheep and goat breeding in Serbia must be kept in mind. Possibilities for further development of organic sheep and goat production are great, and it can be expected that it will increase in the future and can become a significant branch of livestock production

Lamb fattening possibilities in mixed flock of sheep

The aim of this study was to determine daily weight gain of different Wiirtemberg crosses. The experiment was carried out in central part of Vajdaság province, at right and left side of river Tisza in Bácska and Bánság region. In flock of 240 Wiirtemberg ewes 3 genotype of ram were used: Wiirtemberg, lie de France and Charolais. Trial included 60 lambs of three breed and crosses, 20 lambs per each: I. group pure Wiirtemberg, II. group lie de France x Wiirtemberg and III. group Charolais x Wiirtemberg. Average body mass of lambs at the beginning of trial was approx. 12 kg and at the end of the trial approx. 30 kg. The lambs were divided into two groups: indoor and pasture trial group. Lambs of group A were kept exclusively on pasture for fattening, fed by mothers milk and grass. Lambs of group B were kept indoors fed by mothers milk, concentrate mixture and alfalfa hay (ad libitum). During the experiment all lambs in group had same housing and nutrition condition. At the indoor condition the average daily gain of pure Wiirtemberg breed were 290 g for ram and 279 g for ewe lambs. In the case of He de France x Wiirtemberg crosses the daily gain were 313 and 309 g respectively. Charolais x Wiirtemberg crosses showed daily gain of 333 and 300 g per day. In this case the ram and ewe lambs obtained the best daily gain in the group. In the pasture condition the crosses of ram the Charolais x Wiirtemberg show the highest results 271 g while in the case of pure Wiirtemberg breed the result was 226 g/day. The average values of He de France x Wiirtemberg crosses are in the middle with daily gain value of 250 and 243 g/day. Wiirtemberg breed and their crosses at indoor condition have realised higher daily gain average. This confirms the fact that in crossing beside the genetic difference between populations that are being crossed, important factor for better daily gain is also the system of feeding. At indoor and also in outdoor condition the all breed crosses of Charolais x Wiirtemberg lambs got the highest daily gain results. In that case of crossing the Charolais breed has an outstanding effect

The influence of temperature, relative air humidity and temperature humid index on the quality of cow milk

Centuries long experience has shown, and decades-long measurements have confirmed that there was no significant difference in the quality of milk on the farm during the year. These variations are correlated with a number of factors. Some of them are biological (are related to characteristics of breeds and individual cows), but a large number of groups are abiotic (Ambient conditions). With regard to biological factors difficult and slow to change, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of environment conditions on the quality of milk on selected farms. The farm "Stari Tamis" near Belgrade was chosen. There are daily milked 200 cows to 220. About 95% of cows are the Holstein-Friesian and Simmental remained. Over 35% of cows in first lactation, and less than 5% had previously five lactations. Studies were performed using standard methods for determining the total amount of: fat, protein and dry matter. Analyzing the obtained results, it was found that with increasing temperature of the wet index values, there is a decrease in the quantity of dry matter in milk. Thus, at the lowest interval index of up to 74, the percentage of dry matter in milk was 12.26%, while the highest interval index of over 84, the percentage of dry matter was reduced to 11.81%. The increase of the index will result in declining of the amount of fat. In the days when it was the lowest interval when heat stress was hardly any, the amount of milk fat was 3.45%, while on days with extremely strong and heat stress the index value was over 84, fat dropped to 3,18%. The increase of the index humid temperature value, led to a decline in the amount of protein in milk. Thus, at the lowest interval index of up to 74, the amount of protein in milk was 3.30%, while the highest interval index of over 84, the amount of protein was reduced to 3.21%

Fungal contamination of milking cows feed

This paper present the fungal contamination of milking cows feed samples in Vajdaság. 12 Type of feed samples, used for feeding of milking cows throughout one research year was investigated. As it was found all feed samples (100%) in summer and spring were contaminated with fungi, 95% in autumn and winter period. The genus Aspergillus and Pénicillium occured as contaminants in all seasons and shown the highest presence of all tested fungi species. Aspergilli. about 63% of feed samples in summer, 67% in autumn. 89% in winter and 48% in spring, Peniicillium about 87% in summer, 61% in autumn, 72% in winter and 61% in spring were contaminated with them

The influence of temperature, relative air humidity and temperature humid index on the quality of cow milk

Centuries long experience has shown, and decades-long measurements have confirmed that there was no significant difference in the quality of milk on the farm during the year. These variations are correlated with a number of factors. Some of them are biological (are related to characteristics of breeds and individual cows), but a large number of groups are abiotic (Ambient conditions). With regard to biological factors difficult and slow to change, the aim of this study was to investigate the influence of environment conditions on the quality of milk on selected farms. The farm "Stari Tamis" near Belgrade was chosen. There are daily milked 200 cows to 220. About 95% of cows are the Holstein-Friesian and Simmental remained. Over 35% of cows in first lactation, and less than 5% had previously five lactations. Studies were performed using standard methods for determining the total amount of: fat, protein and dry matter. Analyzing the obtained results, it was found that with increasing temperature of the wet index values, there is a decrease in the quantity of dry matter in milk. Thus, at the lowest interval index of up to 74, the percentage of dry matter in milk was 12.26%, while the highest interval index of over 84, the percentage of dry matter was reduced to 11.81%. The increase of the index will result in declining of the amount of fat. In the days when it was the lowest interval when heat stress was hardly any, the amount of milk fat was 3.45%, while on days with extremely strong and heat stress the index value was over 84, fat dropped to 3,18%. The increase of the index humid temperature value, led to a decline in the amount of protein in milk. Thus, at the lowest interval index of up to 74, the amount of protein in milk was 3.30%, while the highest interval index of over 84, the amount of protein was reduced to 3.21%

Phenotypic characterization and milk quality variation of two type Tsigai sheep breed

In this study the phenotypic characterization and milk quality variation of two type Tsigai sheep breed, Cokan and Pivnicki are presented. The Cokan type mostly prevailing in Banat region (East part of Vojvodina), the Pivnicki could be located between river Tisa and Danube. The study was carried out on several sheep farms in Central-Backa region. From every flock, from each type 30 sheep were selected. Phenotypic characteristics of Pivnicki Tsigai type were: the average value of forehead spread 12.25 cm, height at withers 76.62 cm, body length 87.6 cm, bust size 102.87 cm and shinbone size 9.62 cm, and for the Cokan type the following values were determined: forehead spread 12.25 cm, height at withers 76.62 cm, body length 87.62 cm, bust size 102.87 cm and shinbone size 9.62 cm. The fat content in milk from Pivnicki type - 10.25%, was higher than that from Cokan type, 9.28%. In the case of all other milk substances lower average values were recorded in milk from Pivnicki Type. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found in density, minerals, milk protein and freezing point values

Lamb fattening possibilities in mixed flock of sheep

The aim of this study was to determine daily weight gain of different Wiirtemberg crosses. The experiment was carried out in central part of Vajdaság province, at right and left side of river Tisza in Bácska and Bánság region. In flock of 240 Wiirtemberg ewes 3 genotype of ram were used: Wiirtemberg, lie de France and Charolais. Trial included 60 lambs of three breed and crosses, 20 lambs per each: I. group pure Wiirtemberg, II. group lie de France x Wiirtemberg and III. group Charolais x Wiirtemberg. Average body mass of lambs at the beginning of trial was approx. 12 kg and at the end of the trial approx. 30 kg. The lambs were divided into two groups: indoor and pasture trial group. Lambs of group A were kept exclusively on pasture for fattening, fed by mothers milk and grass. Lambs of group B were kept indoors fed by mothers milk, concentrate mixture and alfalfa hay (ad libitum). During the experiment all lambs in group had same housing and nutrition condition. At the indoor condition the average daily gain of pure Wiirtemberg breed were 290 g for ram and 279 g for ewe lambs. In the case of He de France x Wiirtemberg crosses the daily gain were 313 and 309 g respectively. Charolais x Wiirtemberg crosses showed daily gain of 333 and 300 g per day. In this case the ram and ewe lambs obtained the best daily gain in the group. In the pasture condition the crosses of ram the Charolais x Wiirtemberg show the highest results 271 g while in the case of pure Wiirtemberg breed the result was 226 g/day. The average values of He de France x Wiirtemberg crosses are in the middle with daily gain value of 250 and 243 g/day. Wiirtemberg breed and their crosses at indoor condition have realised higher daily gain average. This confirms the fact that in crossing beside the genetic difference between populations that are being crossed, important factor for better daily gain is also the system of feeding. At indoor and also in outdoor condition the all breed crosses of Charolais x Wiirtemberg lambs got the highest daily gain results. In that case of crossing the Charolais breed has an outstanding effect

Production and composition of milk from tsigai sheep breed in Vojvodina

In this study the milk quality of Tsigai, like a most popular local sheep breed in northern part of Serbia are presented. The purpose of this paper is to review the several differences in physical-chemical quality aspects of sheep milk.. The average milk quantity are between 0,46 and 0,88 kg, and in 6 mounth milking period are up to 150 l. The milk is mostly processed into cheese and yoghurt. Compared results with other Tsigai breeds in Midle-East Europe area indicate that milk yield and composition are approximately the same, depending on pasture quality, keeping system and feeding

Growth performances and hematological characterisation of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum, 1792)

In present study correlations between hematologic characteristics and growth performances of rainbow trout were investigated. Fish were provided from a raceway trout farm located in the valley of the river Jerka near the city of Novi Pazar (N:43°13’67’’; E:20°43’96’’). The farm consists of 8 concrete lined production ponds (22 x 3 m x 1,2 m each) in which water is exchanged 75 times per day. After stocking fish from production ponds are being monthly classified into two groups depending on their body mass and body length and larger fish are transferred in separate ponds. For this study one year old fish were sampled. 25 from slower and 25 from faster growing group. Analyses were performed in 4 consecutive days in accordance with animal welfare regulations (Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia 41/2009). Fish growth performances were estimated from body mass, total and standard body length and Fulton condition factor. Hematological characterization of rainbow was established on the basis of Red Blood Cell (RBC) and White Blood Cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin concentration, Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Corpuscular Volume of erythrocytes (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin in individual erythrocyte (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) in a liter of erythrocytes. The results obtained were statistically analyzed by SPSS. It was found out that there exist significant correlation between hematological and growth characteristics. High linear regression coefficients can explain mass and length gain by hematological parameters