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Sustainable Intensification? Increased Production Diminishes Omega-3 Content of Sheep Milk

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  • Nikolaos Voutzourakis

    (School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 2SF, UK
    Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Demeter, Thermi 57001, Thessaloniki)

  • Nikolaos Tzanidakis

    (Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Demeter, Thermi 57001, Thessaloniki
    Clinic of Reproductive Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Sokratis Stergiadis

    (School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Earley Gate, Reading RG6 6AR, UK)

  • Leonidas Rempelos

    (School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 2SF, UK)

  • Mick Eyre

    (School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 2SF, UK)

  • Ioanna Atsali

    (School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 2SF, UK
    Independent Researcher, Kritsá, Lasithi, Greece)

  • Enrica Franceschin

    (Mérieux NutriSciences, Via Fratta, 25, 31023 Resana, Italy)

  • Carlo Leifert

    (Centre for Organics Research, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia)

  • Alexandros Stefanakis

    (Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Demeter, Thermi 57001, Thessaloniki)

  • Smaragda Sotiraki

    (Laboratory of Parasitology, Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation Demeter, Thermi 57001, Thessaloniki)

  • Gillian Butler

    (School of Natural and Environmental Science, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 2SF, UK)

Abstract

Intensifying agricultural production alters food composition, but this is often ignored when assessing system sustainability. However, this could compromise consumer health and influence the concept of “sustainable diets”. Here, we consider the milk composition of Mediterranean dairy sheep, finding inferior fatty acid (FA) profiles with respect to consumer health as a result of a more intensive system of production. Semi-intensive management produced 57% more milk per ewe, with a 20% lower fat content (but inferior fat composition). The milk had a nutritionally poorer fatty acid (FA) profile, with an 18% lower omega-3 FA concentration (n-3) (19% fewer long-chain n-3s) and a 7% lower monounsaturated FA concentration but a 3% higher saturated FA (9% higher in C14:0) concentration compared to ewes under traditional, extensive management. A redundancy analysis identified close associations between fat composition and animal diets—particularly concentrate supplementation and cultivated pasture grazing—and n-3 was associated with grazing in diverse, native mountain pastures. This paper questions if identifying such key elements in traditional systems could be deployed for “sustainable intensification” to maintain food quality while increasing output.

Suggested Citation

  • Nikolaos Voutzourakis & Nikolaos Tzanidakis & Sokratis Stergiadis & Leonidas Rempelos & Mick Eyre & Ioanna Atsali & Enrica Franceschin & Carlo Leifert & Alexandros Stefanakis & Smaragda Sotiraki & Gil, 2020. "Sustainable Intensification? Increased Production Diminishes Omega-3 Content of Sheep Milk," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1228-:d:318084
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Christian Schader & Lukas Baumgart & Jan Landert & Adrian Muller & Brian Ssebunya & Johan Blockeel & Rainer Weisshaidinger & Richard Petrasek & Dóra Mészáros & Susanne Padel & Catherine Gerrard & Laur, 2016. "Using the Sustainability Monitoring and Assessment Routine (SMART) for the Systematic Analysis of Trade-Offs and Synergies between Sustainability Dimensions and Themes at Farm Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(3), pages 1-20, March.
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    1. Nikolaos Voutzourakis & Alexandros Stefanakis & Sokratis Stergiadis & Leonidas Rempelos & Nikolaos Tzanidakis & Mick Eyre & Gillian Butler & Carlo Leifert & Smaragda Sotiraki, 2021. "Effect of Intensification Practices, Lambing Period and Environmental Parameters on Animal Health, and Milk Yield and Quality in Dairy Sheep Production Systems on Crete," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-27, August.

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