Estimation of the energy value of milk and prediction of fat-corrected milk yield in sheep and goats

Abstract

The milk production and its composition (fat and total solids) of Chios sheep and Damascus goats were used to estimate the energy value of sheep ( n=604) and goat milk ( n=529). The energy values of sheep and goat milk, estimated from energy in fat alone, were E s=453+91.17 f and E g=292+104.74 f, respectively. Equations for the prediction of milk production, adjusted for fat content (fat-corrected milk yield), were developed using the relationships between fat and gross energy value of milk. These prediction equations express milk production in terms of 6% fat-corrected milk for sheep, FCM s= M (0.453+0.0912 f) and 4% for goats, FFCM g= M(0.411+0.147 f). Fat-corrected milk yield is a much better criterion for comparisons among individuals with regard to their genetic and/or phenotypic merit.