@article{Assan_2014, title={Influence of stage of lactation on quantitative and qualitative milk production parameters in goats}, volume={3}, url={http://www.sjournals.com/index.php/sjas/article/view/808}, abstractNote={<p>Goat lactation&nbsp; is&nbsp; synonymous to an agricultural production function with three distinct production regions namely: early, mid and late lactation. It is characterised by an increase in milk yield in early lactation to a possible peak in the mid lactation and then a decline in milk yield&nbsp; as it reaches the end of lactation. However, the other milk constituencies (protein, fat, lactose, etc ) do not follow the same trend as total milk yield through the 3 lactation stages. Therefore, it is suffice to suggest that &nbsp;the understanding of the physiological changes in these stages of lactation is crucial in maximizing&nbsp; milk production in goats. The present discussion explores the importance of different stages of lactation in milk production in influencing yield and milk composition. &nbsp;Milk yield and its composition are influenced by various factors, among these stage of lactation is very significant. The proportion of &nbsp;protein, lactose, fat and total solids declined slightly with advance in lactation and a steady fall in milk yield. This is on the basis that milk yield is a function of the number of mammary secretory cells and their metabolic activity change during the course of lactation. The significant stage of lactation effect in most studies&nbsp; may have practical implications in determining optimal feeding management to maximize total lactation yield and&nbsp; milk composition. Therefore, the knowledge of physiological activities&nbsp; during different stages of lactation &nbsp;is critical to &nbsp;dairy animal nutrition and management decision support systems for optimization of goat dairy flock &nbsp;production processes.</p>}, number={12}, journal={Scientific Journal of Animal Science}, author={Assan, Never}, year={2014}, month={Dec.}, pages={291-300} }