Factors affecting feed efficiency in dairy goats

Abstract

-The objective of this study was to present some factors affecting feed efficiency in dairy goats. To develop our work, individual and average data from performance experiments with lactating goats were used. The following variables were evaluated: gross feed efficiency, adjusted feed efficiency, dry matter intake, milk-yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk yield, dry matter digestibility, dietary neutral detergent fiber content, different roughage-to-concentrate ratios and body weight. The statistical analyses involved the application of descriptive and dispersion measures besides Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis. The analyzed variables were highly correlated with feed efficiency. The feed efficiency of lactating goats was affected by the milk fat correction, dry matter digestibility, dietary fiber content, proportion of roughage in the diet and body weight. Among these factors, standardization of the milk fat appeared to be the most efficient in correcting the feed efficiency in lactating goats. Correction of some of these factors implies greater precision in the measurement of feed efficiency.

16. Yüzyılda Antakya Vakıfları (1550 Tarihli Evkaf Defterine Göre)

“…An interesting feature of the results was that feed efficiency was the lowest when roughage-to-concentrate ratio was at its peak during the 0-60 day fattening period and relative to the 60-100 day period. This result does not fully concur with the findings of Oliveira et al (19), who reported that increasing the roughage-to-concentrate ratio led to poorer feed efficiency in lactating goats.…”

Modelling of Livestock Systems to Enhance Efficiency

“…In meat sheep, feed efficiency can be quite variable depending on the BW, breeds, and gain composition. Oliveira et al (2014), reviewing performances of dairy goats, reported that average feed efficiency in 17 studies was 1.06 kg of milk/kg of dry matter intake (varying from 1.44 to 0.74), with ranges of daily milk production that varied from 1.1 to 3.5 kg of milk. Under Brazilian conditions, Lima et al (2017) reviewed key technical efficiency and economic performances of feedlot lambs (ranging from 16 to 52 kg of BW and average daily gain ranging from 0.15 to 0.38 kg of average daily gain/d), observing values of feed efficiency equal to 210 g/kg of dry matter intake (ranging from a minimum of 140 to a maximum of 280) and feed conversion equal to 4.7 (ranging from 3.5 to 6.9).…”