Effect of breed, stage of lactation and nutrition on milk production traits in goats

Abstract

This discussion is an 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.