Dairy sheep farming is a significant agricultural sector in Mediterranean countries, providing income and employment opportunities in less-favoured areas (LFAs). The economic performance of dairy sheep farms is of significant interest to LFAs. However, relevant literature is scarce. The objectives here were to evaluate the economic performance of dairy sheep farms in LFAs of Greece and perform a comparative analysis based on flock size and farming system. In total, 19 and 26 dairy sheep farms for two production periods were used. Farm technical (flock size, production, grazing and nutritional management) and economic (income and variable costs) data were collected. The economic performance of farms was estimated using Happy Goats, a decision support tool for small ruminant farming. Estimated economic parameters were analysed by flock size (≤150 ewes vs. >150 ewes) and farming system (intensive/semi-intensive vs. semi-extensive). Results showed that 37% and 31% of farms were operating with losses in each production period, respectively. Based on nutritional management, ewes produced about 50 kg less milk per milking period. Smaller and semi-extensive farms had significantly (p < 0.05) lower incomes and variable costs. A significantly (p < 0.05) lower average gross margin was reported for smaller compared to larger farms. Results suggest a better economic perspective for larger flock sizes.

Extensively reared ruminants are seasonally exposed to ticks. Tick-related production losses and health issues have been well documented in cows and sheep but not in goats where relevant literature is scarce. The objective here was to investigate the association of hard tick infestation with milk production and udder health of dairy goats reared extensively. A cross-sectional study was carried out during May and June, in two dairy goat farms. The farms were located in Central and Northern Greece and were representative of typical extensive production systems. A total of 304 goats (n = 152 from each farm) were randomly selected. Each goat was examined for presence of hard ticks. Daily milk yield and quality characteristics were recorded. Udder health status was determined by milk somatic cell count (SCC) and total viable count (TVC). Tick infestation prevalence was 28.6%; it was associated with a significant (p < 0.001) increase in SCC and TVC (84.0% and 78.6%, respectively). The latter meant that infested goats were 3.7 times more prone to udder health problems (p < 0.001). There were not any significant effects (p > 0.05) on milk production. Overall, results suggest that control of tick infestation in extensively reared dairy goat herds is important for enhancing health and welfare status.

The objective of this study was to assess the impact of breed and slaughter hygiene practices on beef quality traits in Northern Greece. A random sample of 159 beef carcasses from three breeds, Aberdeen Angus (AA, n = 38), Holstein (HO, n = 42), and Limousin (LI, n = 40), and crossbred (CR, n = 39) males were used. The chroma, pH, texture, chemical composition, and fatty acid profile were assessed using the Longissimus dorsi muscle. The muscle histomorphometry was assessed using the psoas major samples. Microbiological analyses were conducted on the beef carcasses to evaluate slaughter hygiene. A comparative analysis using ANOVA, Mann–Whitney, and Kruskal–Wallis tests was performed to assess the effects of breed and slaughter hygiene on the meat quality traits. The meat quality differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the breeds. Specifically, the LI beef exhibited higher lightness (L*) values compared to those of the AA and HO beef. The CR breed produced the reddest beef, which differed significantly from the AA and HO beef. The beef yellowness (b*) was higher in the AA breed compared to the other breeds. The AA and CR beef was more tender than the LI beef. The AA beef exhibited the lowest protein and highest fat content, while the LI beef was the leanest. The monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) concentrations in the AA beef were 22% higher than those in the HO beef, whereas the HO beef had 23% higher levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs). The total mesophilic viable counts among the slaughterhouses exceeded the lower acceptable threshold (3.5 log CFU/cm²), indicating inadequate slaughter hygiene practices that could impact beef quality and safety. Globally, this is the first comprehensive study that uniquely combines techniques for assessing beef quality from whole carcasses to individual muscle fibers.

Managing a milk zone in the dairy industry is demanding. Data necessary for efficient management are difficult to acquire because they usually must be collected in organized and standardized ways. On the other hand, software practices constantly provide new tools that can go beyond simple record-keeping practices and add value to the data. In this work, FarmDain is a novel web-based application for sheep and goat management. It aims to improve milk production and processing by digitizing the value chain in data acquisition, processing and visualization between dairy production businesses and their milk suppliers. FarmDain uses state-of-the-art software technologies to model the data collection process and provides a straightforward user interface to facilitate data processing and visualization. Using the app in a case study carried out for 12 months in a dairy sheep farm resulted in lower feeding cost per milked ewe by 5.5% when ewes were allocated into high and low milk production groups compared to the scenario of remaining in one single group. Furthermore, based on reports provided by the app, culling and genetic selection decisions were made to improve the overall farm performance. Similar practices were applied in all farms optimizing their productivity, which led to increased profitability for farms and the Dairy Factory.

The objective was to assess the effect of housing conditions during the summer months on the success rates of cervical artificial insemination (AI) with cooled semen, in intensively reared dairy ewes in Greece. The study involved 2083 Lacaune ewes from 23 flocks that were serviced during May to September. An estrous synchronization protocol with the insertion of progestogen sponges for 14 days and eCG administration at sponge removal, was used. All ewes were inseminated 54–57 h after sponge removal with cooled semen (15 °C) from 10 Lacaune rams. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed via trans-dermal ultrasonography at 35–40 days after AI. Data recording started the day after sponge placement (15 days prior to AI), and lasted up to 14 days after AI. Daily records included temperature, relative humidity, and Temperature-Humidity Index (THI) inside the shed. Available space and volume per animal, frequency of bedding renewal, access to a yard, and indoor light were also recorded in each farm. Binary logistic regression of data records showed that temperature and THI increases at days −15 to +4 around AI (day 0) had a negative effect on pregnancy rates (reducing the likelihood of pregnancy by 3–6% and 7%, respectively). The latter also decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in farms with high stocking density, non-frequent bedding renewal, and outdoor access by ewes (by 30%, 34%, and 44%, respectively). Overall, the results indicate that appropriate housing conditions are warranted to increase the success of AI in dairy ewes during the summer months.