Ascending phase lactation characteristics of Red Sokoto goats

The ascending phase milk yield characteristics were evaluated in. Red Sokot o goats using 120 days milk yield records obtained from a total of 92 lacta ting does in 6 herds, collected over a two year period. The ascending phase characteristics were highly variable (47.6-74.5%) and were significantly ( P<0.01-0.05) influenced by herd, season and parity, but not by litter size and litter composition (P>0.05). Highly positive and significantly (P<0.01) correlations (r=0.62) exist between total yield and ascending phase total and average day yield, respectively. Negative and significantly (P<0.05) co rrelation (r=0.30) was observed for peak week and days in the ascending pha se. The significant herd and seasonal effects may have practical implicatio ns in determining optimal feeding management and season of breeding to maxi mize total lactation yield, The effect of parity point to the fact that it is not necessary to cull lactating does before parity 5.