Milk production by agropastoral Red Sokoto goats in Nigeria

The mild yield characteristics of smallholder agropastoral Fulani Red Sokoto goats were evaluated using records obtained from a total of 92 does in 6 herds, collected over a 2-year period. The results indicated that the total yield was 79.8 +/- 3.2 kg, the daily yield 0.66 +/- 0.03 kg, the peak yield 1.21 +/- 0.07 kg and the day of peak production 28.7 +/- 2.1 day of lactation. The milk yield characteristics were highly variable with a coefficient of variability of 38.6% to 69.8%. The characteristics were significantly (p < 0.01-0.05) influenced by herd, season, parity and litter size of the dam. Highly positive and significant (p < 0.01) correlations (r = 0.66-0.99) existed between the total yield and the average daily yield, peak yield, initial yield and day 120 yield. A negative and significant (p < 0.05) correlation (r = -0.33) was observed between the peak day and the initial yield. The non-homogeneity of the milk yield characteristics in Red Sokoto does suggests the possibility of improving their daily productivity by selection of high yielding does. Selection for higher initial milk yield may also improve other milk yield characteristics.