Influence of milk production records on the estimation of typical and extended curve lactation parameters in local goats under grazing management

Abstract

The effect of measure number of milk production (MP) on the estimation of parameters in typical and extended lactations curve parameters of local goats was evaluated. This study was conducted with 14 producers in 5 communities of the Comarca Lagunera, State of Coahuila, México. MP was measured monthly by hand-milking during 4 years. Data analyzed included 12,097 observations belonging to 2,229 lactations from 1,125 local goats. The Wood model was utilized to characterize the lactation curve and its parameters (a, b, and c). Two groups were formed, G1 (typical lactation with 3-7 milk measures), and G2 (extended lactations with 8-10 milk measures). The criterion utilized to determine the adequate number of MP measures during lactation was the standard error of the estimate. The best fit in the estimation of the curve parameters was obtained in G2. Factors affecting the curve parameters were also evaluated utilizing the MIXED procedure of SAS. Community, year, and parity number influenced all the parameters in both groups. Flock within community influenced b and c in G1. Season of parity influenced c in G2. It is concluded that a higher measure number of MP in an extended lactation helps in better estimation of lactation curve parameters.

Coat Color in Local Goats: Influence on Environmental Adaptation and Productivity, and Use as a Selection Criterion

“…It is possible that including morphologic characteristics related to adaptation, such as coat color, is a relevant element in genetic improvement programs, which could ensure the survival of the animals [95]. Another benefit is that small producers can obtain an in-direct and economical method to improve the yield of local populations; otherwise, this is an impossible task for a classic genetic improvement program because of the stake-holders' educational level and lack of training [6,86,96].…”

“…These characteristics allow goats to hold a high production potential and make them an ideal species, key to providing animal protein in the face of two scenarios of global concern: global warming and an increase in meat demand due to the rising human population [5]. Nevertheless, the low investment capacity of the producers, developed under extensive grazing, inhibits the adoption of technologies, which limits the productive capacity of livestock; therefore, it is necessary to generate low-cost and easy-adoption technologies according to the production system requirements [3,6].…”

Body Composition as a Function of Coat Color, Sex and Age in Local Kids From Northern Mexico

“…However, in criollo or local goats, the information available on this topic is still scarce, because this characteristic cannot be measured based on a scale (Tyasi et al, 2022;Becerril et al, 1996). However, evidence suggests that it is directly related to productive efficiency (Fonseca et al, 2016) and, therefore, the study of this characteristic becomes necessary, especially in these subsistence systems, where the availability of herd productive information is a serious limitation (Moyao-Aríza et al, 2022, Torres-Hernández et al, 2020. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effect of coat color and sex on body composition, as well as the magnitude of changes in body development when considering age in local lactating kids from northern Mexico.…”