Factors affecting milk production and prolificacy of Alpine goats in Lombardy (Italy)

Citation
P. Crepaldi et al., Factors affecting milk production and prolificacy of Alpine goats in Lombardy (Italy), SMALL RUMIN, 32(1), 1999, pp. 83-88
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Animal Sciences
Journal title
SMALL RUMINANT RESEARCH
ISSN journal
09214488 → ACNP
Volume
32
Issue
1
Year of publication
1999
Pages
83 - 88
Database
ISI
SICI code
0921-4488(199903)32:1<83:FAMPAP>2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
In order to evaluate the adaptation of a newly introduced breed and of a pr oduction system, the effects of herd-year, season of kidding, parity, and, where appropriate, prolificacy on milk yield, lactation length and prolific acy of Alpine goats in the Italian region of Lombardy were investigated. An alysis of two consecutive years, 1298 lactation records, from 34 herds, gav e mean values (+/-SE) of 567+/-6 kg for milk yield, 231+/-1 days for lactat ion length and 1.6+/-0.01 kids per kidding. Milk yield and lactation length were primarily influenced by the herd-year factor (p<0.001, partial R-2 0. 68 and 0.55, respectively) which mainly reflects differences in herd manage ment. Milk yield was also affected by season of kidding (p<0.001, partial R -2 0.4), parity (p<0.001, partial R-2 0.03) and litter size (p<0.001, parti al R-2 0.01). Lactation length was also affected by parity (p<0.001 R-2 0.1 6) and season of kidding (p<0.001 R-2 0.06). Prolificacy was affected by pa rity and by herd-year factor (p<0.001, partial R-2 0.09). Kidding early in the year gave higher milk yields, longer lactations and higher prolificacy, but in the choice of the kidding season also the higher prices of kid meat just before Easter have to be considered. Maximum milk yield and prolifica cy were attained late (in 4th and 5th lactation), probably due to early age at first kidding. The relevant effect of the herd-year factor indicates th at performances of Alpine goats in Lombardy can be successfully improved wi th an adequate management. Our findings confirm that litter size should not be ignored when establishing correction factors in order to compare milk y ields. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.