FACTORS AFFECTING YIELD AND
MILK COMPOSITION IN DAIRY
ANIMALS

FACTORS AFFECTING YIELD AND
MILK COMPOSITION IN DAIRY
ANIMALS

NEVER ASSAN

Milk is a nutritious, cost-efficient source of protein, minerals and vitamins.
Cattle, goats and sheep have been the major sources of milking for human
consumption. However, these species’ milk yield and composition is known
to be influenced by genetic and non-genetic factors. This is on the
background that genetic factors such as the genotype are difficult to
control, unless through selective breeding. There are variations in milk yield
and composition, not only between, but also within species, because of
diversity among genotypes, management practices, stage of lactation, etc.,
and also interactions among these factors. These environmental and
physiological factors (stage of lactation, pregnancy, prolificacy, etc) greatly
influence the amount and composition of milk that is actually produced.
Some non-genetic factors, such as the nutrition and management of the
milking animals can be manipulated by the dairy farmer to improve milk
yield and produce high quality milk. This book attempts to explore the
influence of genetics a n d some non-genetic factors on yield and milk
composition in cattle, goat and sheep

Lambert Academic Publishing Company

2015