Elsevier

Small Ruminant Research

Volume 18, Issue 2, October 1995, Pages 173-178
Small Ruminant Research

Factors affecting standardized milk and fat yields in Alpine goats

https://doi.org/10.1016/0921-4488(95)00719-2Get rights and content

Abstract

Records from 499 lactations of 220 Alpine does were evaluated to test lactation year, lactation number, and litter size effects on 305-day adjusted mature equivalent milk and fat yields. Milk yield was greater (P < 0.01) in 1986 (968 kg) than in following years (range 777–845 kg). Fat yield was not influenced by lactation year. Positive (P < 0.01) associations were found when phenotypic merits for lactation yield were regressed on birth year and generation. Lactation number affected (P < 0.01) milk yields with production highest at second lactation (960 kg) and lowest at seventh lactation (634 kg). Does delivering single kids had lower (P < 0.01) milk yields (775 kg) than does delivering twins and triplets (834 and 903 kg, respectively). A positive (P < 0.01) coefficient was computed (17.5 ± 4.5 kg milk kg−1 litter weight) when milk yield was regressed on total litter weight. Fat yield was similarly affected (P < 0.01) by lactation number and litter characteristics. Unique were results showing that litter size and litter weight had positive relationships with lactation yields in does despite the removal of kids at birth.

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    1

    Present address: Cooperative Agricultural Research Program, Tennessee State University, 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd., Nashville, TN 37209-1561, USA.

    2

    Present address: Neuroscience Program, Department of Physiology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN 37208, USA.

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