OVINE MILK .1. SEASONAL-CHANGES IN COMPOSITION OF MILK FROM A COMMERCIAL SCOTTISH FLOCK

The seasonal changes in the composition of milk from a commercial floc k of ewes have been studied. The milk composition exhibited seasonal c hanges in fat and protein content similar to those found in bovine mil k produced under an equivalent feeding regime, albeit at substantially higher concentrations. There were significant differences in casein c omposition between species. Ovine casein had a higher proportion of be ta-casein and a lower proportion of alpha(s)-casein than bovine casein . The average size of milk fat globules in ovine milk was greater than the bovine equivalent. There were significant seasonal variations in fat composition, the most notable being associated with the proportion of short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and in the relative amounts of olei c and palmitic acid. Corresponding changes in triglyceride distributio n and melting behaviour were also noted.