Milk production in cows, goats and ewes

Milk is an important and popular product used for human consumption and for the manufacture of many food products. Milk production varies depending on many factors, such as animal age, breed, feed, season and other environmental factors. In this section we will look at milk production in cows, goats and ewes and the factors that influence this production.

Milk production in cows

Cows are considered the main sources of milk for human consumption. Milk production in cows is influenced by several factors, including animal age, stage of the reproductive cycle, breed, and diet. The most popular dairy cow breeds are Holstein, Jersey and Guernsey. These breeds produce an average of 22, 13 and 12 liters of milk per day, respectively. Dairy cows need a diet rich in energy, protein and minerals to produce quality milk. In general, a cow gives an average of about 7,300 liters of milk per year.

Milk production in goats

Goats are also an important source of milk for human consumption, although their milk production is generally lower than that of cows. Milk production in goats is influenced by several factors, including animal age, stage of the reproductive cycle, breed, and diet. The most popular dairy goat breeds are the Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg. These breeds produce an average of 3 to 4 liters of milk per day. Goats need a diet rich in protein and minerals to produce quality milk. In general, a goat gives an average of about 1,095 liters of milk per year.

Milk production in ewes

Ewes are mainly used for meat and wool production, but they are also a source of milk. Milk production in ewes is influenced by several factors, including animal age, stage of the reproductive cycle, breed and diet. The most popular breeds of dairy sheep are the Lacaune and the Manech. These breeds produce an average of 1.5 to 2.5 liters of milk per day. Ewes need a diet rich in energy, protein and minerals to produce quality milk. In general, a sheep gives an average of about 225 liters of milk per year.

Graph 1: Total quantity of milk per animal per year

Lactation duration

The duration of lactation also varies between breeds. Cows have an average lactation of 10 months, while goats have an average lactation of 8-10 months. Ewes have a shorter lactation, around 5 to 6 months. During this period, milk production is at its peak.

Graph 2: Lactation duration in months per animal

Sheep's milk: an exclusive ingredient

Sheep's milk is considered an exclusive ingredient due to its limited production and unique nutritional properties. Ewes produce a much lower amount of milk than cows and goats, which makes their milk scarcer and more expensive. Additionally, sheep's milk is higher in protein, fat, and minerals than cow's or goat's milk, making it more nutritious.

Sheep's milk soap is one of the most popular products using sheep's milk as an ingredient, due to its moisturizing, soothing and antimicrobial properties. Sheep's milk is also used in making cheeses and other premium dairy products.

Graph 3: Milk production per day

In sum

In short, milk production varies according to many factors, such as the age of the animal, the breed and the diet. Cows are the main sources of milk for human consumption, followed by goats and sheep. However, sheep's milk is an exclusive ingredient in many industries due to its unique nutritional properties and its rarity. Lactation length is also an important factor to consider in order to maximize milk production in each animal. The graphs presented make it possible to visualize the differences in milk production between the three animals, as well as the duration of lactation and the milk production per day.