April 30, 2012
[NUBIAN MILK PRODUCTION]
How much milk will a Nubian produce?
First of all, production is breed-specific. The production of Nubians differs from other breeds of goats.
Example 1: Production records for an Elite Nubian Doe
The following are test results for SG Black Mesa Edie’s Espeez 9*M. Espy was named a USDA-DHIR Elite
Doe four years in a row, from 2007-2010. Elite does are selected based on genetic evaluation conducted
annually that measures “predicted transmitting ability.” Predicted transmitting ability is “Computed by
USDA AIPL, incorporating data from production and type data of the doe, ancestors, collateral relatives
and progeny.” It’s a statistical formula that estimates a doe’s ability to pass on excellent conformation
and milk production. Does who are selected as elite rank in the top 5% of does in the breed.
DHIR Milk Test Results: SG Black Mesa Edie’s Espeez 9*M
Year
Age (yr.mo)
Milk Lbs.
1.00
Days in Milk
(DIM)
305
Fat Lbs.
1600
Avg.
Milk/Day
5.25
2007
87
Fat
%
5.4
Protein
lbs.
64
Protein
%
4
2008
2.00
259
1720
6.64
95
5.5
70
4.1
2009
2.11
269
1890
7.03
78
4.1
73
3.9
2010
3.10
276
2210
8.01
116
5.2
86
3.9
2011
4.10
225 (sold)
2040
9.07
98
4.8
80
3.9
What can Espy’s statistics tell us? First of all, milk production tends to increase with age (up to a point).
Don’t expect a ton of milk from a first freshener!
Second, if 1 gallon = 8.9 pounds of milk, then Espy produced approximately a gallon a day, on average,
over the course of her 2011 lactation.
Lactation follows a curve, with the peak towards the beginning of the lactation and tapering off towards
the end of the 305 day cycle. In 2011, Espy produced over a gallon during each milk test conducted
during the first 3 months of her lactation. After that her production went down slightly each month.
However, the fat and protein percentages INCREASED.
Generally speaking, the higher the milk pounds, the lower the fat percent. So, if you want milk that is
rich in butterfat, a super high production doe (3,000 pound/year) may not meet your needs.
Here are the test results for her fourth lactation:
1
2
3
4
5
6
Days in Milk (DIM)
34
76
120
164
204
246
Owlhaven Farm
Milk Pounds
10.6
11.0
8.9
7.4
6.1
4.8
Fat %
4.6
4.4
4.9
4.5
7.2
7.0
Prot %
3.5
3.6
3.8
3.9
4.6
4.8
Test Date
2010/03/28
2010/05/09
2010/06/22
2010/08/05
2010/09/14
2010/10/26
Page 1
April 30, 2012
[NUBIAN MILK PRODUCTION]
Example 2: Production Records for Top Ten Nubian Breed Leaders
Top Ten Breed Leader is another important award. This award only considers the doe’s milk production.
Here are the statistics for Nubian does who received this award in 2011:
2011 Top Ten Nubian Breed Leaders
Reg#
PN1389293*
PN1411160
PN1342233*
PN1302000*
PN1431366*
PN1361043*
PN1446688*
PN1389279*
PN1335449
PN1223379
Age:yr.mo
3.09
3.00
4.11
5.11
2.11
3.11
2.00
3.11
5.00
8.00
DIM
279
305
305
305
305
305
302
235
305
288
Milk Avg
Lbs
Milk/Day
4320
15.48
4050
13.28
3920
12.85
3900
12.79
3900
12.79
3790
12.43
3680
12.19
3620
15.40
3560
11.67
3480
12.08
Fat
192
173
129
182
206
190
179
186
165
151
Fat %
Protein Fat %
4.4%
134
3.1%
4.3%
153
3.8%
3.3%
119
3.0%
4.7%
147
3.8%
5.3%
140
3.6%
5.0%
126
3.3%
4.9%
150
4.1%
5.1%
131
3.6%
4.6%
131
3.7%
4.3%
141
4.1%
As the name suggests, these are the ten best producing Nubian does in the United States for 2011.
These does produced (on average) over a gallon of milk a day, some as much as a gallon and a half!
So here’s a really rough guide for thinking about production, measured over a 305 day lactation. Keep in
mind that for longevity it is best to balance conformation and production. For example, does with weak
udder attachments will probably have shorter productive lives. That is why the Elite Doe status is so
significant; it takes into consideration other factors that affect production.
Good: 1,000-2,000 pounds. If your first freshener is producing over 1,500, give her a medal!
Great: 2,000-3,000 pounds, many Elite Does fall in this range.
Stellar: 3,000+ pounds
While 3,000+ is “stellar,” I don’t own a milking machine and my hands get T-I-R-E-D after milking my
gallon-a-day producing does! And these are does that are very easy to milk!
So, consider the workload when thinking about your ideal doe, how much feed (energy) she’ll need to
produce that volume of milk, and how much milk you really need.
I believe in moderation. A 2,000-3,000 pound milker is easy for me to milk and maintain (feed and
medical care). Her udder stays in good shape and is not stressed by carrying an exceptionally heavy load
of milk. And, I have more than enough milk for my needs. When you combine 2,000+ pounds of milk
AND great conformation you truly have a superior combination.
Owlhaven Farm
Page 2