Determination of colostrum quality in romanov x awassi breed sheep

In this study, the quality characteristics of colostrum samples collected within the first three days after birth from 27 Romanov × Ivesi crossbred ewes at the Research and Development Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Dicle University, were evaluated. The aim of the study was to ensure that newborn lambs receive sufficient and high–quality colostrum and to identify potential factors that could influence this process. Colostrum is known to be richer in protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals compared to mature milk. Measurements taken with a refractometer determined Brix values of 23.6, 18.1, and 17.9 on the first, second, and third days, respectively. On the same days, protein ratios were determined to be 6.9%, 8.1%, and 7.8%, dry matter contents were 18.0%, 14.4%, and 13.9%, fat ratios were 6.9%, 6.3%, and 6.0%, and density values were 1.06, 1.05, and 1.04, respectively. In the first day measurements, positive and moderate correlations were found between Brix value and density (r=29.7), protein (r=28.5), lactose (r=28.6), and dry matter (r=28.5). In contrast, correlations with somatic cell count (r=8.4) and fat (r=8.0) were found to be quite low. The findings indicate that the Brix value is a reliable indicator for determining colostrum quality and that colostrum components exhibit parallel changes. On the other hand, the negative relationship between fat content and Brix value indicates that fat plays a limited role in assessing colostrum quality. Statistical analyses showed significant changes in protein, lactose, dry matter, and density values during the first three days after birth. One of the most significant problems encountered in the livestock sector in Turkey is high mortality rates in newborns, the main reason being that lambs do not receive quality colostrum in a timely manner and in sufficient quantities.