Main Article Content
Composition of colostrum and milk of South African indigenous Nguni goats grazing natural pasture and supplemented with concentrate
Abstract
Samples of colostrum, early and late lactation milk from thirteen South
African indigenous Nguni goats (SAING) were analysed for contents
of total solids (TS), solids-not-fat (SNF), fat, protein, lactose, ash
and energy. Relationships between colostrum or milk and some parameters
such as litter size (LS), milk yield (MY) and does kidding weight (DKW)
were determined. Fat, protein and lactose contents of colostrum were poorly
correlated (P > 0.05) with LS. Of relationships between early lactation
parameters considered, only the coefficient between MY and DKW was significant
(r = 0.72, P < 0.001). Correlations between protein and lactose contents
of late lactation milk and LS were not significant (P > 0.05). However,
the milk fat content of late lactation milk was significantly correlated
with LS (r = 0.23, P = 0.041). Means of TS, SNF, fat and energy contents
decreased with increased lactation period while ash content increased
as lactation advanced. Protein and lactose contents were at maximum in
colostrum and early lactation milk, respectively. Fat and TS contents
of colostrum, early and late lactation milk samples were positively and
significantly (P < 0.05) correlated. Fat content of colostrum and milk
of SAING can be used to predict the dry matter (total solids) constituent
of the goats' colostrum and milk.
Keywords: Nguni goats; colostrum; milk; composition; natural pasture
African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2003, 20(1): 47–51
African indigenous Nguni goats (SAING) were analysed for contents
of total solids (TS), solids-not-fat (SNF), fat, protein, lactose, ash
and energy. Relationships between colostrum or milk and some parameters
such as litter size (LS), milk yield (MY) and does kidding weight (DKW)
were determined. Fat, protein and lactose contents of colostrum were poorly
correlated (P > 0.05) with LS. Of relationships between early lactation
parameters considered, only the coefficient between MY and DKW was significant
(r = 0.72, P < 0.001). Correlations between protein and lactose contents
of late lactation milk and LS were not significant (P > 0.05). However,
the milk fat content of late lactation milk was significantly correlated
with LS (r = 0.23, P = 0.041). Means of TS, SNF, fat and energy contents
decreased with increased lactation period while ash content increased
as lactation advanced. Protein and lactose contents were at maximum in
colostrum and early lactation milk, respectively. Fat and TS contents
of colostrum, early and late lactation milk samples were positively and
significantly (P < 0.05) correlated. Fat content of colostrum and milk
of SAING can be used to predict the dry matter (total solids) constituent
of the goats' colostrum and milk.
Keywords: Nguni goats; colostrum; milk; composition; natural pasture
African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2003, 20(1): 47–51
