Milk Production in Goats Compared to Buffalo and Cattle in Humid Tropics

Abstract

Dairy goats are important for the supply of high quality proteins in milk through conversion of feed from noncompetitive sources. Significance of milk production in less developed countries is growing. Goats are the third ranking source of milk, but these countries produce approximately 52% of the world production of goat milk. Given are gross composition of goat milk for breeds in the tropics, comparisons with milk from buffalo and cows, size of fat globules, amino acid composition of casein, nitrogen distribution of normal milk, fatty acid composition, mineral and vitamin contents. Intakes of dry matter as percent of adult body weight for tropical, imported, and European breeds were 3.3, 3.6, and 4.6%. Milk yields were 280, 577, and 1,476 kg for lactation lengths of 199, 221, and 455 days. Efficiency of milk production is dependent on high milk yields. Efficiency of protein production in milk of goats compared to meat is discussed. Development of milk production from goats by small farmers in the tropics can complement commercialized milk production from buffalo and cows and is important for alleviation of undernutrition and malnutrition. © 1980, American Dairy Science Association. All rights reserved.