Influence of different growing conditions on production, milk composition and body condition score for Alpina goat breed

Abstract

This paper presents the results of testing the impact of different farming systems on milk production, milk composition (milk fat, protein and dry matter without fat) and body condition score of Alpine breed goats in different growing systems during one production year. Control of the amount and chemical composition of milk included a total of 59 French Alpine goats at the age of 2-3 years (2-3 lactations), which are divided into two groups with approximate similar body weight. In the first group of goats a stable diet was applied. Goats had a sufficient amount of alfalfa hay available (ad libitum) and the addition of about 0.5 kg of concentrate that is administered twice a day. Goats in the second group in addition to 0.5 kg of alfalfa hay, received 0.25 kg of concentrate and in the period from April to October during the day stayed at the outlet and the surrounding pasture. Control of body weight of goats and body condition were performed once every two months from March to October, while the rate of body condition (BCS) was given score of 1-5. Somatic cell count and chemical quality of milk were controlled on a daily basis in the laboratory for raw milk AD Mlekara - Subotica on the device CombiFoss 6200 FC. Both groups of goats had a statistically significant increase in production of milk (about 45 l) and the average daily milk yield (of about 0.15 l) in the second compared with the third lactation (p <0.01). It was also determined statistically significant effect of lactation on content of protein, dry matter without fat (DMwF) and the number of somatic cells in milk in both groups of goats. Body condition score of the analyzed groups of goats varied over time, and statistically significant differences were found in July (p = 0.021) and September (p = 0.013), where goats from the second group that remained at the pasture in the examined period had higher scores for BCS compared with the first group

    Similar works