THE EFFECT OF LIQUID WHEY FED TO DAIRY GOATS ON MILK-YIELD AND QUALITY

Effects of liquid whey (6.5% total solids) feeding to 54 Alpine and Sa anen goats on milk yield and quality, was evaluated on a dairy farm in the Appennine mountains. Individual milk yield and composition of mil k fat, protein, lactose and somatic cell counts were determined. Bulk milk samples were evaluated for renneting properties of milk (T, K-10 and E(30)). Individual liquid whey intake was 5.5 kg day(-1) (360 g dr y matter intake (DMI)) and total mixed ration intake was 2010 g DMI da y(-1) and 2170 g DMI day(-1) for test and control groups, respectively . Daily milk yield and fat content of the test group were significantl y (P < 0.05) higher than those of the control group (2.88 vs 2.65 kg d ay(-1) and 2.89 vs 2.72%). Coagulation time (T) and curd firmness (E(3 0)) was significantly (P < 0.05) better in the test group compared wit h the controls (T: 22.7 vs 28.6 min; E(30): 28.7 vs 22.5 mm). These re sults suggest that liquid whey can be used as a practical supplement f or dairy goats.