www.scholarsresearchlibrary.com t Available online a Scholars Research Library Annals of Biological Research, 2013, 4 (8):248-252 (http://scholarsresearchlibrary.com/archive.html) ISSN 0976-1233 CODEN (USA): ABRNBW 248 Scholars Research Library Effect of genotype, stage of lactation, season and parity on milk composition of goat, in Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria Addass P. A. 1 , M. A. Tizhe. 4 , Midau A. 1 , Alheri P. A. 2 and M. M. Yahya 3 1 Adamawa State University, Animal Production Department, P.M.B 25 Mubi Adamawa State, Nigeria 2 Department of Hospitality Management, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria 3 Federal University of Technology Yola, Department of Animal Science and Range Management, Nigeria 4 Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Department of Animal Production and Health, Adamawa State, Nigeria _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT Three most common breed of goats; Sokoto Red (SR), Sahel goat (SG), and West African dwarf (WAD) in Mubi were studied to investigate the effect of breed, stage of lactation, season and parity on milk composition. Significant (P<0.001) breed variations were recorded on crude protein, (CP), Fat (F), and lactose (L) content. Highest (3.84±0.03%) CP content value was observed on SR and least (3.27±0.04%) on WAD, SG however recorded highest (5.16±0.02%) fat content and least (4.38±0.02%) on SR while on lactose content, SR had the highest (4.90±0.03%) and least (4.29±0.04%) was on WAD goat. Stage of lactation was also found to influence CP, fat and lactose level of milk with highest contents during colostrum stage as follows; (3.85±0.04%), (5.35±0.03%) and (5.02±0.04%) respectively. Least content of CP (3.20±0.04), fat (4.13±0.03%) and lactose (4.07±0.04%) were noted to be at the end of lactation. Significant (P<0.001) seasonal difference was evident on fat and lactose levels with highest values during wet season (5.04±0.02% and 4.85±0.03% respectively). Like the seasonal effect, parity had seasonal effect only on fat and lactose content of milk with third parity having the highest values (5.54±0.03% and 5.30±0.05 respectively). Generally proper husbandry practices will improve milk production and composition in goats. Keywords: Milk, Goat, Breed, Parity, Season. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION In some tropical and temperate countries some goats’ breeds are kept not only for meat but also for milk production (McDonald and Low, 1985). Goats in Nigeria are kept mainly for meat; their milk is rarely used for human consumption (Butswat, et al., 2002). The major source of milk in Nigeria is cattle, other sources of milk; sheep, goats and camel are negligible (Ibeawuchi and Dalyop, 1995). The annual milk as reported by Anon (1990) from the national herds was approximately 555,000 tones which is highly inadequate to meet the demand for milk of the country. Goat milk is widely produced globally than sheep. Goat production yields 60% of its value as milk, 35% as meat and 5% as skin (Devendra and Mcleroy, 1998, Malau-Aduli., 2001). In the genetics of milk production based on live weight, goat is much more efficient milk producer than the other species of animals (Webster and Wilson, 1980 and Devendra 1980). Goat has higher feed conversion efficiency to meat and milk than the cow (Okello and Obwolo, 1995). Goat milk is useful for human consumption and cheaper source of animal protein. Goat milk was discovered to have rare Tubercle bacilli with little fat globules for easy digestion which has also anti allergic properties Olomu (1995). Goat milk has the attributes (composition and quality) for consumer acceptability. It has