Seasonal changes of some physical-chemical characteristics of milk from Dalmatian Pramenka ewes

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of year and season on milk fat content and physical properties (titratable acidity, pH value, freezing point, density) of ewe’s milk. Total of 114 bulk milk samples were collected from six flocks of purebred Dalmatian Pramenka ewes located in Splitsko-dalmatinska county (surrounding of Sinj and Drni ) during milking period (from early April till late August) in 2009 and 2010. In all investigated flocks ewes were kept in similar (semi-extensive) management system, with pasture dominated in summer ration, while meadow and alfalfa hay dominated in winter ration. Mean values of physicalchemical characteristics of milk were: milk fat content 6.96 %, titratable acidity 8.06 °SH, ionometric acidity 6.77 pH, freezing point -0.5611 °C, density 1.036 g/cm3. The year significantly affected the content of milk fat (P<0.05), as well as titratable acidity of milk (P<0.01). Significant influence of season on milk fat content (P<0.01) and all analyzed physical properties of milk (P <0.05) was determined.