The effect of Genetic and Non-genetic factors on milk production in Saanen Goats

Abstract

Analysis of 52 records of Saanen goats (kids No. =60­, Sire No=6, Does No= 52) presented in Rasan animal farm in Halabja plain where the age of goats ranged between (21.4-26.2) months. The purpose of this study is to look into the genetic and non-genetic factors (sex and type of birth) that affect milk production in Saanen goats reared in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Also, it attempts to assess repeatability, heritability, BLUP, phenotypic, and genetic correlations between three lactation stages of milk production and total milk production. According to the findings, there was no significant difference in sex on lactation stage and total milk production, however a significant effect of the type of birth on first lactation stage of milk production was performed. Our results indicate that goats with a single kid produced more milk than does with twin kids. The repeatability estimates of third lactation stage and total milk production was 0.20, 0.20, 0.23 and 0.22 respectively. The heritability estimated of three lactation stage and total milk production, (0.17, 0.18,0.24 and 0.18 respectively). The genetic and phenotypic correlation, on the other hand, had a significant effect on the first, second, third, and total milk production. The genetic correlation ranged between (0.42 to 0.52) and phenotypic correlation ranged between (0.32 to 0.68). Result demonstrated that the breeding BLUP (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) of sire (buck) ranged between (-0.051 to 0.0557). It is concluded that selection of does and bucks at the population level in planned selection schemes is based on BLUP value, heritability and genetic, phenotypic correlation.