Estimation of partial lactation milk yields in Saanen goats raised in semi-intensive conditions

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the lactation curves of Saanen goats by using individual milk yields in the early, mid and 0-6 months periods of lactation. For this purpose, Wood’s lactation curve was used to estimate lactation yields. Material and Methods: Milk yields of Saanen goats in different periods of lactation were estimated. For this purpose, the Wood’s lactation curve model was adapted to a total of 480 milk yield measured at 14-day intervals of 40 Saanen goats. Milk yields of goats in the first three months of lactation in January-March, mid-lactation in April-June, and 0-6 months in January-June were estimated. Results: According to the harmony of Wood's model, the determination of coefficient values of the estimations of milk yields in the first, mid-lactation and 0-6 months of lactation are 0.84, 0.87 and 0.84, respectively. The root mean square errors of Wood's model are 0.91 for the first period of lactation, 0.81 for the mid-lactation period and 0.30 for the from 0 to 6 months of lactation period. Conclusions: According to the results obtained in this study, Wood's model was found sufficient to define the lactation curve in Saanen goats. However, it would be beneficial to conduct similar studies with larger herds and yield records.