Autochthonous dairy goat breeds showed better milk quality than Saanen under the same environmental conditions

Abstract

Studies on goat milk have mainly focused on cosmopolitan breeds and very limited information is available on local breeds, which is important for biodiversity preservation and local cheese production. The aim of this study was to evaluate the breed effect on milk yield, composition and somatic cell score (SCS) of five local Italian goat breeds (Garganica, Girgentana, Jonica, Maltese and Mediterranean Red) compared with a cosmopolitan specialized dairy breed (Saanen). A total of 60 goats (10 per breed) from an experimental farm were enrolled in the study. Milk yield, composition and SCS were recorded and analyzed every 2 weeks during the entire lactation. Data were analyzed using a mixed model with repeated measures. Saanen yielded between 0.27 and 0.62 kg day-normal1 more milk than the local breeds. Among local breeds, Maltese and Jonica were the most productive, with an average of 1.28 and 1.25 kg day-normal1, respectively, while Mediterranean Red, Garganica and Girgentana produced ≤1 kg day-normal1. Saanen had the highest SCS (6.81) and the lowest fat content (3.26 %). In relation to protein, Garganica showed the greatest content (3.71 %), and Saanen had a similar content to other local breeds (3.42 %) except for Maltese, which was lower (3.11 %). Saanen and Garganica had the lowest lactose percentage (4.28 % and 4.26 %, respectively). All breeds followed a similar pattern across lactation: SCS and fat and protein content peaked at the end of the lactation, whereas lactose percentage was highest at the beginning of the lactation. Differences between Saanen and the local breeds for milk yield, composition and SCS were consistent across lactation. In conclusion, local breeds produced less milk but with lower SCS and greater fat and lactose content than the Saanen cosmopolitan breed, suggesting a better milk quality.

Factors Affecting Milk Yield and Composition of Indigenous Balkan Goat Breed Reared in Semi Extensive Conditions

“…The mean values of fat and protein content (3.35% and 3.29%) were lower than the results reported for Italian local breeds Girgentina, Maltese, Jonica and Mediteranean Red (Curro et al 2019 andCarnicella et al 2008). Regarding milk composition, our results for fat, protein and SNF content were in agreement with the results of Mioč et al (2007) and Zazharska et al (2018) for Alpine, Saanen or Anglo Nubian breeds.…”

“…The abundance of goat populations in the harsh, arid, semiarid areas most likely reflects their good adaptation to such environments, especially indigenous breeds (Kumar et al 2010). Lack of information on production potential of local breeds is one of the main reasons why farmers replace local breeds by highly productive breeds (Curro et al 2019). Many authors have studied effect of different environmental factors on milk production traits of goats, like age or lactation, stage of lactation, season and others (Antunac et al 2001, Ciappesoni et al 2004Mia et al 2014).…”

Comparison of Mineral, Metabolic, and Oxidative Profile of Saanen Goat during Lactation with Different Mediterranean Breed Clusters under the Same Environmental Conditions

“…A description of the animals used, management, and feeding conditions is available at Currò et al [3]. Briefly, a total of 57 dairy goats (9 or 10 does per breed) that kidded twins in February 2018 were enrolled in the study until the end of lactation (30 weeks).…”

“…Milk sample collection and analysis has been described in Currò et al [3]. Briefly, all goats were mechanically milked twice a day (0730 and 1730 h) in a double 24-stall parallel low-line milk pipeline milking parlor (Alfa Laval Agri; Monza, Italy) equipped with recording jars and electronic pulsators at a vacuum of 38 kPa, 90 pulses/min, and 60% pulsation ratio.…”

“…In addition, GI, JO, RM, and GA are within the most important breeds reared in South Italy. A general description of the five breeds is available in Currò et al [3], as well as milk yield, composition, and somatic cell score (SCS), milk mineral content [4], and milk fatty acids profile [4].…”