Effect of Intensification Practices, Lambing Period and Environmental Parameters on Animal Health, and Milk Yield and Quality in Dairy Sheep Production Systems on Crete

Due to increasing demand, many traditional, grazing-based Mediterranean sheep production systems have introduced intensified feeding regimes, increased investments in infrastructure and drug use increase milk yields. However, compared bovine systems, there is limited knowledge about the impact of these intensification practices on animal welfare health quality dairy products. The aim this study was therefore quantify effects management environmental conditions background udder health, parasitism quantity Cretan traditional systems. Milk yields were higher semi-intensive while concentrations several nutritionally desirable compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids found be from extensive Antibiotic anthelmintic relatively low both There no substantial difference parasitic burden, somatic cell counts, microbiological parameters assessed milk. Recording flock showed that high semi-intensively managed flocks, overall, status extensively ewes slightly better. In contrast, (temperature rainfall) had a effect quality.