184. The milk of the goat under English conditions

Abstract

An account has been given of observations made for over two years on the composition of the milk of the breeds of goat distributed throughout Great Britain. The average percentages of fat and solids-not-fat in the milk of the breeds, together with their standard errors, are recorded. The frequency with which evening and morning samples fell within specified limits of these constituents is indicated for each breed, and diagrammatically for all goats. Detailed analyses of the milk of each breed are given, with the maximum and minimum values encountered and the standard errors of the average figures. Comparison is made of the composition of the milk of the goat with that of the cow. The effect of stage of lactation on yield of milk and on percentages of fat and solids-not-fat are shown by means of curves. the effect of age on the yield and composition of milk is indicated. The average yields per lactation for each breed, based upon the records of animals officially recorded during the last ten years are noted.