Milk of Kupres, Privor and Stolac dairy ewe breeds is used for the production of the fine cheese varieties. To the best of our knowledge there are no information about milk production and milk composition of these pasture-based dairy ewes. The aim was to determine the best lactation curve model in autochthonous pasture-based dairy ewes in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Milk production was recorded and milk composition sampled (milk fat and protein) during early, mid and late lactation in 129 Kupres, 141 Privor and 129 Stolac pramenka ewes. Four lactation models (Wilmink, Cubic, Ali-Shaeffer and Guo-Swalve) were compared and selected based on the lowest coefficient of determination and root mean square error. The Guo-Swalve model described all of the measured variables most successfully. Kupres pramenka dairy ewe was the highest producing breed with 139 kg of milk during 175 days of lactation (0.79 kg/d; between lactation day 50 to 225) and showed the standard lactation curve. Privor pramenka produced 118 kg of milk during 175 days of lactation (0.67 kg/d) and Stolac pramenka 101 kg of milk during 175 days of lactation (0.58 kg/d). Both showed atypical constantly decreasing shape of the lactation curve common in low producing dairy ewes. The prediction of milk yield and milk composition from the Guo-Swalve model could be used by the national breeding program for the Kupres, Privor and Stolac pramenka sheep breeds. Additional research during a more stable management conditions is recommended for Privor and Stolac pramenka.

UDK 631.8(497.6 Čapljina) The concentration and form of some metals and metalloids in soil is governed by many chemical and physical properties of soil as pH, redox, Fe, Al ions and soil composition. The paper studied presents influence of chemical soil properties, environment conditions and selenium fertilization rate applied on ions status of zinc, cadmium, selenium and iron in soil and plant material, as well as specific adsorption of these ions in two different maize hybrids. The study was conducted at the farm Vita-Vi Višići (Čapljina). The experiment design was a completely randomized design with two hybrids, four different fertilization treatments in four replications. The experimental area was implemented standard agricultural management practices of preparation, tillage, fertilization, application of protective agents. Hybrid NP Pako is selected in order to achieve a high yield, and M34 hybrid for quality yield. The test results and statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in the yield of hybrids combined with different fertilization treatments. Accumulation of selenium, zinc, cadmium and iron in upper ground plant part of maize was not affected by fertilization treatments or selected hybrid. The highest yield was achieved by hybrid M34 Pioneer of 37.6 t ha- 1and the highest yield was obtained in application of third fertilization treatment 20 kg NaSeO4ha-1, but without statistically significant differences comparing to other hybrid or applied treatments. The highest content of selenium in the plant was found in hybrid NP PAKO 0.06 mg Se kg-1 of dry matter of maize applying the fourth liquid fertilization treatment (20 kg Na2SeO4ha-1) but also without statistically significant difference comparing to other hybrid or fertilization treatment. Content of zinc, cadmium and iron in soil or plant material had not shown significant differences due to the applied fertilization or used maize hybrids, but some fluctuations were observed. Selenium fertilization did not have a limiting effect on the formation of the yield and tested elements, but its mobility and availability in soil and plant depends also on other factors as soil properties and climatic conditions of growing season.

UDK 631.4(497.6) Multi-purpose land evaluation is a method of assessing the quality and value of the land in the service planning and land management, and is the fundamental basis for the development and optimum use of land in general. The subject of the study was evaluation of multi-purpose suitability of land for agricultural use was made according to the Regulations on the uniform methodology for the classification of agricultural land in the class (Official Gazette of the Federation of B&H, No. 43/11), using FAO assessment methodology (FAO, 1976; Brinkman and Smyth, 1973). Based on the results of research was created a database and map of suitability of agricultural land for growing different plants in agriculture vegetable (gardening); arable farming (annual crops); fruits (fruits growing); wine-growing (viticulture) and grassland (pastures and meadows). It was determined the priority of agricultural use as well as dedicated map (1:200 000), which shows the distribution of 36 recommended agricultural and economic programs in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was found that the largest area of 429,685.4 ha or 40.45% of agricultural land in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina is suitable for agricultural economic program of grassland. Follow the other agricultural economic programs: fruits-grassland 123,996.4 ha or 11.67%; then fruits-vegetable-annual crops with an area of 89,384.7 ha (8.41%) and grassland-fruits-vegetable occupying 66.562 ha or 6,26% and grassland-vegetable-annual crops with an area 62,136.3 ha (5.85%). Other agricultural economic programs individually occupy an area of less than 4% of land. We believe that the information obtained through this project contribute to the overall development of agriculture in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in terms of creating a proper and balanced concept as part of sustainable land management and reasonable land use policy.

The phylogenetic layout of the genotyped (30 microsatellite) 18 sheep breeds in this study demands and provides the opportunity to evaluate both neutral and adaptive components of genetic diversity in a naturally and artificially selected and subdivided sheep population. Seven Pramenka strains from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia characterized by a very low intensity of artificial selection, preserved the highest neutral genetic variability. Eight central and north-western European breeds under considerable artificial isolation and selection preserved the lowest genetic variability. Only combinations of various phylogenetic parameters offer a reasonable explanation for underlying evolutionary forces working in the investigated island and mainland sheep breeds under variable natural and artificial selection. More than 60% of total genetic, diversity was allocated to virtually unselected Pramenka strains, and an additional 25% to native moderately selected Graue Gehoernte Heidschnucke and intensively selected Ostfriesische Milchschafe. Some economically very important breeds and strains did not contribute to a pool with maximal genetic diversity, while they play an important role in the cultural heritage of respective countries.

The aim of this study was to investigate consumers’ preferences of Livanjski cheese depending on the type of milk (cow’s milk or a mixture of sheep’s and cow’s milk) and the originality of production (farm or industrially produced). Also correlations between sensorial scores and the composition of Livanjski cheese were determined. Sixty day old Livanjski cheese samples produced on four family farms and under industrial conditions produced cheese were used for sensory evaluation. During the cheese sampling every producer was visited regularly (every two weeks) to evaluate the ripening conditions of the cheeses (temperature, relative air humidity and ventilation). Sensory evaluation was performed by 160 consumers and 6 experts. Cheese from farm 1 received the highest scores (P<0.05) in general and for every single attribute as well. The production of Livanjski cheese on farm 1 was distinct due to mixing sheep’s and cow’s milk (70:30 %) and due to good controlled ripening conditions (15-18 °C, relative air humidity 80-90 %, regular air ventilation). Sheep’s milk was an important factor for the higher scoring of Livanjski cheese. In opposite to the consumers’ preference, experts evaluated industrially produced Livanjski cheese with the highest score. Significantly high and negative correlations (P<0.05) between total solids of cheese and scores for taste and odour judged by experts were obtained. Moreover, significantly higher and negative correlations (P<0.05) between the total solids of cheese and all sensorial attributes were obtained by consumers. On the contrary, preserving factors i.e. higher salt content and acidity positively influenced the sensory attributes of Livanjski cheese.