MILK-PRODUCTION OF GOATS GRAZING NATIVE PASTURE UNDER DIFFERENT SUPPLEMENTATION REGIMES IN SOUTHERN ITALY

In Experiment 1, 48 goats from two breeds (Maltese and Rossa Mediterra nea) received two levels of concentrate supplements (150 and 550 g per head day(-1)) in a 2 x 2 factorial design. In Experiment 2, the conce ntrate levels were the same, but with two levels of crude protein (CP) for each concentrate level (16.7% and 38.5% CP, and 11.6% and 16.7% C P, respectively). At low or high concentrate level, the net energy (NE )/CP ratio was the same. There was no significant difference between M altese and Rossa Mediterranea breeds in milk yield and composition, al though fat content tended to be higher in Rossa Mediterranea. Energy a nd N balance, body condition and blood parameters did not differ betwe en breeds. Concentrate levels did not alter milk production significan tly: 40 kg and 30 kg in Experiment 1 and 2, respectively, i.e, 1 kg an d 0.7 kg milk were produced per kilogram of concentrate. Protein suppl ements did not improve milk production. The group at high protein leve l had a trend towards reduced milk production as a consequence of redu ced ingestion from pasture, In grazing conditions of southern Italy, c oncentrates supplied at the level of 550 g might be economical dependi ng on their price compared with that of milk and cheese. However, prot ein supplementation did not increase milk yield, and was therefore of no economic value.