Effect of parturition time and photoperiod on milk production, quality, and somatic cell count traits of pure and crossbred goats in a different production system

This is the first study to compare the effects of parturition time and photoperiod on milk yield, quality, and somatic cell count (SCC) traits in pure and crossbred doe genotypes reared with supplementary feeding at various physiological stages in a mountain-pasture grazing system. Data were collected from Hair, Alpine × Hair F 1 (AHF 1 ), and Saanen × Hair F 1 (SHF 1 ) crossbred doe genotypes with an average live weight of 49.60±0.40 kg. Hair doe had significantly lower ( P < 0.001) milk yields and lactation length, but higher ( P < 0.001) fat, protein, and lactose contents and electrical conductivity (EC) than AHF 1 and SHF 1 crossbred doe genotypes. Does giving parturition in the hours of darkness had higher ( P < 0.05) milk volume and lower ( P < 0.05) SCC compared to does giving parturition in the hours of daylight. Daily milk yield was positively correlated with daylight ( P < 0.05; r = 0.50 to 0.53), while milk fat, protein, and lactose contents were negatively correlated with daylight ( P < 0.05 to P < 0.001; r = −0.51 to −0.82, respectively) in Hair, AHF 1 , and SHF 1 crossbred doe genotypes. Lactation stages and daily milk yield levels significantly affected ( P < 0.05) the SCC, pH, total solids, and freezing point of milk. It was concluded that the milk yield traits of goats can be rapidly improved by better modelling of physiological and environmental variations such as photoperiod, reproduction, and hormonal effects in sustainable production systems.