Revisión sistemática de los efectos del paso a un ordeño al día en pequeños rumiantes

The review examines the impact of once-daily milking (1X) compared to twice-daily milking (2X) in goats and sheep. It finds a general reduction in milk production, though the magnitude varies by breed and lactation stage. While milk composition shows a slight trend toward increased protein and stable fat, animal health and welfare generally remain unaffected. The document also explores the potential for labor and energy savings, as well as the effects of omitting occasional milkings (12-13 times per week).

• Transitioning to once-daily milking (1X) generally reduces milk production, with an average decrease of 22% for sheep and 17% for goats, although the latter figure is lower if African pygmy goats are excluded.
• The impact on milk composition is not fully consensus-based, but long-term trends suggest that fat percentages tend to remain stable while protein percentages tend to increase slightly (averaging 4% in goats and 2% in sheep).
• Animal health and welfare are not negatively impacted by once-daily milking; no significant effects on udder health, inflammation, or behavioral distress (such as agitation or bleating) were observed in sheep or goats.
• The degree of production loss depends on the breed and the animal's productivity; highly productive animals generally experience a less intense loss in production. For example, Lacaune sheep adapt well to 1X, while Greek Karagouniko sheep adapt poorly.
• Implementing once-daily milking after the peak of lactation can minimize production losses, and it is recommended to allow the udder to develop fully for the first seven days before transitioning.
• Reducing feed intake alongside milking frequency can further decrease milk production, as both factors act through different mechanisms: hormone emission/milk accumulation and nutrient availability.
• Once-daily milking can lead to cost savings in labor, water, and energy. Energy savings are estimated at 31% to 35% compared to twice-daily milking, primarily due to reduced tank cooling and washing requirements.
• Omitting one or two milkings per week (12-13 milkings total) provides greater labor flexibility. While production drops on the day of omission, it typically increases the following day due to accumulation and returns to normal levels by the fourth or fifth day.
• The effects on cheese production are minimal, though some changes in appearance and texture were noted in Rocamadour goat cheese, which remained within the protected designation of origin (DOP) ranges.
• There is a lack of experimental studies specifically on the Latxa breed, making the generalisation of these findings to the Latxa sector uncertain.

APA

del Castillo, E. G. (2019). Revisión sistemática de los efectos del paso a un ordeño al día en pequeños rumiantes. Basque Centre for Climate Change. https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201911110952581933681552.pdf

Chicago

del Castillo, Elena Galán. Revisión sistemática de los efectos del paso a un ordeño al día en pequeños rumiantes. Basque Centre for Climate Change, 2019. https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201911110952581933681552.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=del Castillo |first1=Elena Galán |title=Revisión sistemática de los efectos del paso a un ordeño al día en pequeños rumiantes |publisher=Basque Centre for Climate Change |date=November 2019 |url=https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201911110952581933681552.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{delcastillo2019revisin, author = {del Castillo, Elena Galán}, title = {{Revisión sistemática de los efectos del paso a un ordeño al día en pequeños rumiantes}}, institution = {Basque Centre for Climate Change}, year = {2019}, month = nov, url = {https://www.bc3research.org/h6T8Uy8Nm4gFs0O/201911110952581933681552.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }