Changes in ewe milk fatty acids following turning out to pasture

2008

Abstract Ten Comisana dairy ewes were selected to observe time of changing in milk fatty acids as a result of switching from stall to pasture feeding. At first, ewes were subjected to a stall-feeding period of 30 days (pre-experimental phase). After which, ewes were abruptly turned out to a vetch and oats pasture as their sole feed (experimental phase). Individual milk samples were collected on experimental days 0 (the last day of stall feeding), 1–4, 8, 11, 17 and 23. Milk and feeds fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography. The sudden passage from a stall to a pasture diet significantly modified the fatty acid profile of ewe milk. Medium- and long-chain fatty acids were …