Effect of pasture type compared with hay diet on dairy goat milk production and quality.

Grassland Science in Europe, Vol. 17 Effect of pasture type compared with hay diet on dairy goat milk production and quality Steinshamn H.1, Inglingstad R.Aa.2, Nymo M.3 and Jorgensen M.4 1Bioforsk, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Organic Food and Farming Division, Gunnars veg 6, NO-6630 Tingvoll, Norway 2Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1430 As, Norway 3Senja videregaende skole, Gisundveien 9, NO-9372 Gibostad, Norway 4Bioforsk, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Arctic Agriculture and Land Use, P.O. Box 2284, NO-9269 Tromso, Norway Corresponding author: havard.steinshamn@bioforsk.no Abstract The objective was to examine the effect of pasture type, and of grazing compared with hay feeding, on milk production and quality from dairy goats in early and late grazing season. Eighty goats were grouped according to genotype and lactation, and randomly divided into two groups with approximately 8 weeks difference in kidding date and start of feeding experiment, in Early and Late grazing season. At the start of the feeding experiment the goats were divided into 4 forage-treatment groups: R, forest rangeland pasture; C, cultivated pasture; HH, high quality hay; HL, low quality hay. Group R yielded less milk (1.5 vs. 2.0 kg d–1) and lower milk protein content (32 vs. 33 g kg–1), but higher milk fat (46 vs. 37 g kg–1) and DM content (120 vs. 113 g kg–1) than group C. Free fatty acids (FFA) content in milk was not affected by pasture type. The effects of pasture type on milk yield and milk constituents were similar in early and late grazing season. Grazing resulted in similar milk yield but higher milk fat (42 vs. 34 g kg–1), protein (32 vs. 30 g kg–1) and DM (117 vs. 106 g kg–1) content, and lower content of FFA (0.22 vs. 0.34 mEq L–1) than hay feeding.