1. Steinshamn, H.1, Inglingstad, R. Aa.2, Nymo, M.3 and Jørgensen, M.4
Effect of pasture type compared with hay diet on dairy goat milk production and quality
Steinshamn, H.1, Inglingstad, R. Aa.2, Nymo, M.3 and Jørgensen, M.4
1Bioforsk, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Organic Food and farming Division, Tingvoll, Norway
2Department of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of
Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
3Senja videregående skole, Gibostad, Norway
4Bioforsk, Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research, Arctic Agriculture and Land Use, Tromsø, Norway

2. Introduction Dairy milk quality is variable
High content of free fatty acid, rancid taste
Genetic factor
More frequent during grazing season
Increases during lactation
Negative energy balance?
Low forage quality?
Season effect confounded with lactation stage
Photo: Kia Hansen

3. Questions
Is milk production and quality from dairy goats affected by forage quality:
rangeland vs. cultivated pastures?
or by
grazing vs. hay feeding?
How does the grazing season affect milk production and quality?

4. Experimental factors / Treatments
Season
Early (June 28 – July 16)
Late (August 16 – September 3)
Forage type
R = Rangeland
C = Cultivated pasture
HH = High quality hay
HL = Low quality hay

5. Early - kidding Late - kidding Date Early Late Start forage treatment
2.2
1.4
28.6
16.8
16.7
3.9
Rangeland
Cultivated pasture
Hay low quality
Hay high quality
Early - kidding
Silage
Late - kidding
Date
Early
Late

6. Results
Photo: Kia Hansen

7. Control Rangeland Hay - High quality Hay – Low quality Season ***
C vs R ***
Pasture vs Hay NS
Season×Pasture type NS
Control
Rangeland
Hay - High quality
Hay – Low quality

8. Control Rangeland Hay - High quality Hay – Low quality Season NS
C vs R ***
Pasture vs Hay ***
Season×Pasture type NS
Control
Rangeland
Hay - High quality
Hay – Low quality

9. Control Rangeland Hay - High quality Hay – Low quality Season NS
C vs R NS
Pasture vs Hay ***
Season×Pasture type NS
Control
Rangeland
Hay - High quality
Hay – Low quality

10. Control Rangeland Hay - High quality Hay – Low quality Season NS
C vs R **
Pasture vs Hay ***
Season×Pasture type NS
Control
Rangeland
Hay - High quality
Hay – Low quality

11. Control Rangeland Hay - High quality Hay – Low quality Season NS
C vs R NS
Pasture vs Hay NS
Season×Pasture type NS
Control
Rangeland
Hay - High quality
Hay – Low quality

12. Conclusions
Rangeland yielded less milk but higher milk fat content than cultivated pasture
Difference between rangeland and cultivated pasture on milk yield and quality was similar in Early and Late season
Grazing yielded more milk and higher milk content of fat, protein and lactose than hay
Rangeland grazing does not necessarily lead to goat milk with high FFA content or increased FFA during the grazing season

13. Acknowledement
The Norwegian Research Council and TINE SA for financially support