Cheese production potential of milk from Dahlem Cashmere goats using a cheese simulation method

Due to the importance of cheese production for the dairy goat industry, breed differences in performance of milk and cheese production between Dahlem Cashmere (DC), a synthetic triple purpose breed (milk, meat and cashmere fibre), and German Fawn (GF), a typical German dairy goat breed, were investigated. Individual milk samples were taken fortnightly from 10 DC (parities 2 and 3) and 5 GF (parity 2) goats in the year 2001 over a lactation period of 28 weeks, and were tested for milk yield (total and 4% fat-corrected milk yield [kg]) and composition (solids non-fat (SNF), fat, protein and casein [%]). Conducting a cheese simulation method, moisture adjusted milk to cheese conversion value (MCV) [100×cheese (g)/skim milk (g)] and subsequently SNF, protein and casein to cheese conversion values (SNFCV, PCV and CNCV, respectively) [100×cheese (g)/milk component (g)] were estimated. Monthly and total milk yields ofDCgoats were significantly lower than those of GF. By correcting milk yield for fat [4%], differences between the two breeds in milk yield became insignificant. Major milk components of DC goats (SNF, fat, protein and casein) were significantly higher, throughout the lactation, compared to those in milk from GF. Subsequently, differences in milk major components yields were insignificant. Protein and casein content, and consequently MCV, showed a fairly constant level throughout the lactation period. The higher MCV (P < 0.01) of milk from DC, compared to that of GF, reflects higher cheese production potential and explained the insignificant difference in total cheese yield. Significance, however, persisted when cheese conversion values were compared on SNF, protein and casein basis. Milk from DC goats is more appropriate for processing and DC breed can be used for dairy production if cheese is the major product. © 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.