Composition, coagulation properties, and cheese-making traits of sheep bulk milk as affected by individual and clustered farm descriptors

. The average load at pasture, calculated as the ratio of flock size to total pasture area, significantly affected milk traits: high load at pasture (≥10.1 sheep/ha) was associated with increased milk pH, which in turns is related to longer rennet coagulation time and reduced curd firmness, indicating impaired coagulation aptitude. Farm management score significantly affected udder health markers, with lower bacterial cell score in farms with the best management. In addition, the presence of competitors on grazing areas (wild boars and deer) was associated with increased somatic cell score, suggesting that interspecific feeding competition may negatively influence milk quality. Pasture botanical composition also significantly affected cheesemaking efficiency. Flocks grazing predominantly on leguminous species (e.g., sulla and clover) exhibited greater protein and energy recovery in the curd compared with those grazing mainly on graminaceous. The PCA identified 2 main farm typologies, classified as Cluster 1 "Extensive-large flock" and Cluster 2 "Intensive-small flock." However, ANOVA revealed limited differences in milk traits, with the only significant effect observed for protein recovery, which was higher in Intensive-small flock farms. In conclusion, farming, pasture and grazing descriptors emerged as relevant tools to investigate the effects of semi-extensive systems on sheep milk traits, with direct implications for cheesemaking efficiency.