Characteristics of milk production of pure-bred Skopelos goats in Greece

International Conference on Animal & Dairy Sciences

July 23-24, 2013 Embassy Suites Las Vegas, NV, USA

G.C. Fthenakis, K. Manolakou, I. Giannenas, G. Banos and I. Kyriazakis

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Veterinar Sci Technolo

Abstract :

424 goats were monitored over two consecutive lactations. Milk samples were collected and milk yield was measured. Milk content and somatic cell counting were recorded. Separate analyses were performed for primiparous and multiparous animals. Daily milk yield throughout lactation period was 426 mL for primiparous and 491 mL for polyparous animals ( P< 0.05). Milk yield was highest ( P< 0.05) during 2 nd month of lactation (532 mL for primiparous and 577 mL for polyparous animals). Milk fat content was 5.00% for primiparous and 5.14% for polyparous animals and was highest during 5 th month of lactation (5.39% and 5.37%, respectively) ( P> 0.05). Milk protein content was 3.45% for primiparous and 3.49% for polyparous animals, with mild fluctuations throughout lactation ( P> 0.05). Milk somatic cell counts throughout lactation were 0.96×10 6 cells mL -1 for primiparous and 1.60×10 6 cells mL -1 for polyparous animals ( P< 0.05); values increased during second half of lactation ( P< 0.05). Monthly mean somatic cell counts throughout lactation ranged from 0.69×10 6 to 1.74×10 6 cells mL -1 for primiparous animals and from 1.09×10 6 to 1.82×10 6 cells mL -1 for polyparous animals. Results indicate a high milk production of Skopelos breed goats, which may thus be used in future genetic improvement programs. Moreover, results can be referred to as baseline data in such programs. Work in this presentation has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007- 2013) under grant agreement 245140 (?3SR?). This publication reflects only the author?s views. The European Commision is not liable for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.

Biography :

G.C. Fthenakis, DVM, M.Sc., PhD, DipECAR, DipECSRHM is Professor of Veterinary Reproduction at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Thessaly, Greece, Past-President of the European College of Small Ruminant Health Management and Fellow of the Greek Agricultural Academy. He has published 122 refereed papers (total impact factor: 167.532), which have received more than 1650 citations. He has managed many research grants, funded from the public (European Commission, Greek Ministry of Education) or the private (animal health industry) sector