Factors affecting goat milk fat yield

Abstract

The objective of the paper was to investigate the main factors determining the yield of fat in goat milk in the dairy goat population of Lithuania. The research was carried out on a total of 1,079 dairy goats (4 breeds: Czech White Shorthaired (n = 610), Saanen (n = 364), Lithuanian native (n = 94) and Anglo-Nubian (11)) in 7 dairy farms. The average milk yield during lactation was 797.42 (±53.3) kg. The average milk fat content was 4.14% (±0.4). The research of the goat milk fat content demonstrated that the indicators investigated in different herds varied. The highest milk fat content in percent was determined among AngloNubian – 5.2%. The milk fat content of all breeds of goats increased with increasing the parity up to the 4–6th parity, respectively, and started decreasing then, after reaching the peak. While assessing the quantity of milk fat during the stage of lactation, the highest milk fat content was determined during the first months (4.5–4.7%) and at the end of lactation (4.5%). The research performed by us showed that such factors as breed, parity, stage of lactation and herd had an impact on the quantity of goat milk fat.