EFFECT OF BREED, STAGE OF LACTATION AND NUTRITION ON MILK PRODUCTION TRAITS
IN GOATS

EFFECT OF BREED, STAGE OF LACTATION AND NUTRITION ON MILK PRODUCTION TRAITS
IN GOATS

N. ASSAN

This discussion attempt to explore the influence of breed,
stage of lactation and nutrition on milk yield and major milk
components in goats. Different breeds protray different
lactation curves, this is possibly that their genomes from a
genetically point of view are different. Crosses of pure breeds
and local goat genetic resources will improve milk production
in an extensive traditional system because they will be able to
deal with low input that characterize the traditional extensive
farming systems. However, nutrition is a vital component in an
attempt to maximise milk synthesis in goats, as a result correct
feed management is desirable through appropriate estimation
of roughage to concentrate intake in order to optimize the
utilization of feed supplements. It is suffice to suggest that
feeding high producing dairy goat may be a major constraint in
milk production, which implies greater attention to diet
composition, feed quality, and the physical form of feedstuffs is
required. The rate and extent to which a dairy goat is capable of
drawing upon body reserves to meet the energy requirement at
different stages of lactation is critical in determining her ability
to produce and sustain a high level of milk production. In order
to increase goat milk production and to ensure high feed
efficiency, goat farmers need to pay close attention to the
lactation curves of dams within their herds

Scientific Journal of Review

2014