Effects of flock management, milking sanitary conditions and lactation stage on milk composition of Saanen goats

The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of lactation stage in the chemical and physical characteristics of milk from Saanen goats as well as to investigate the effects of flock management, milking sanitary conditions, and lactation phase in the milk fatty acid profile. Twenty goats were randomly assigned to four groups of five animals each. Flock management differed by the presence or absence of males in the groups while milking sanitary conditions differed either by a poor or by a good milking hygiene. Milk samples were collected at 35, 85 and 135 days of lactation. Results showed that milk yield was as expected at 135 days of lactation; peak milk production was observed at 35 days of lactation and decreased linearly as lactation progressed. Milk yield. milk fat content, and milk acidity all changed according to the lactation stage. Milking sanitary conditions and flock management did not affect the milk fatty acids profile. However, milk fatty acids profile differed at different lactation stages with the greatest content of saturated fatty acids at 85 days of lactation.