Summary
This study demonstrated that forage source is a modifiable dietary factor that significantly influences the fatty acid composition of goat milk independent of milk fat depression. Grass hay and sugarcane bagasse diets maximised conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) synthesis through altered ruminal biohydrogenation, whilst corn and sorghum silage diets enhanced short- and medium-chain fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acid transfer, improving the n-6/n-3 ratio. The findings suggest that forage selection offers a precision nutrition strategy to tailor milk lipid profiles for enhanced nutraceutical value in dairy goat production.
Regional applicability
This research was conducted in Brazil with tropical forages (forage cactus) and is primarily applicable to tropical and semi-arid dairy systems. Direct application to United Kingdom dairy goat production would require validation with UK forage species and growing conditions, though the mechanistic insights regarding forage type effects on ruminal biohydrogenation and milk fatty acid composition are potentially transferable to temperate dairy systems.
Key measures
Milk fatty acid profile (short-, medium-, and long-chain fatty acids, vaccenic acid, rumenic acid/CLA, omega-3 fatty acids, n-6/n-3 ratio) determined by gas chromatography
Outcomes reported
The study measured milk fatty acid profiles in lactating Saanen goats fed different roughage sources (corn silage, sorghum silage, grass hay, sugarcane bagasse) combined with forage cactus and full-fat corn germ. Results showed that forage type significantly altered milk fatty acid composition, including short- and medium-chain fatty acids, vaccenic acid, rumenic acid (CLA), and omega-3 fatty acids.
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