Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming Systems
This study investigated the effect of different farming systems and lactation stages on the physicochemical characteristics, somatic cell count (SCC), and total bacterial count (TBC) of milk from Skopelos goats. This study was conducted over two consecutive lactation periods on two commercial farms...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Zoitsa Basdagianni Ioannis-Emmanouil Stavropoulos Georgios Manessis Georgios Arsenos Ioannis Bossis |
| author_facet | Zoitsa Basdagianni Ioannis-Emmanouil Stavropoulos Georgios Manessis Georgios Arsenos Ioannis Bossis |
| author_sort | Zoitsa Basdagianni |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated the effect of different farming systems and lactation stages on the physicochemical characteristics, somatic cell count (SCC), and total bacterial count (TBC) of milk from Skopelos goats. This study was conducted over two consecutive lactation periods on two commercial farms in Greece, an extensive system on Skopelos Island and an intensive system in the Attica region, involving 237 goats of shared genetic background, thereby minimizing genetic variability and strengthening the validity of the comparisons between the production systems. Higher milk yields were observed in the extensive system (0.98 vs. 0.85 kg/day), while milk from this system also had a higher protein (3.57% vs. 3.47%; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and casein content (2.72% vs. 2.57%; <i>p</i> < 0.001), which are traits favorable for cheese production. Fat content peaked during mid-lactation (4.83%; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and remained unaffected by the farming system. Lactose declined from early (4.74%) to late lactation (4.42%; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Both SCC and TBC were significantly elevated in the extensive system (<i>p</i> < 0.001), possibly due to hand milking, environmental exposure, and less-controlled hygiene conditions. These findings highlight a trade-off between the nutritional advantages of extensive systems and challenges related to milk hygiene. A balanced approach, optimizing both quality and sustainability, is recommended. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dc0f3190e27c4707b2b4b9fe0c96b351 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-dc0f3190e27c4707b2b4b9fe0c96b3512025-08-20T02:45:43ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-07-011514790610.3390/app15147906Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming SystemsZoitsa Basdagianni0Ioannis-Emmanouil Stavropoulos1Georgios Manessis2Georgios Arsenos3Ioannis Bossis4Laboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Animal Production & Environmental Protection, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceLaboratory of Animal Husbandry, School of Agriculture, Department of Animal Production, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, GreeceThis study investigated the effect of different farming systems and lactation stages on the physicochemical characteristics, somatic cell count (SCC), and total bacterial count (TBC) of milk from Skopelos goats. This study was conducted over two consecutive lactation periods on two commercial farms in Greece, an extensive system on Skopelos Island and an intensive system in the Attica region, involving 237 goats of shared genetic background, thereby minimizing genetic variability and strengthening the validity of the comparisons between the production systems. Higher milk yields were observed in the extensive system (0.98 vs. 0.85 kg/day), while milk from this system also had a higher protein (3.57% vs. 3.47%; <i>p</i> < 0.001) and casein content (2.72% vs. 2.57%; <i>p</i> < 0.001), which are traits favorable for cheese production. Fat content peaked during mid-lactation (4.83%; <i>p</i> < 0.05) and remained unaffected by the farming system. Lactose declined from early (4.74%) to late lactation (4.42%; <i>p</i> < 0.001). Both SCC and TBC were significantly elevated in the extensive system (<i>p</i> < 0.001), possibly due to hand milking, environmental exposure, and less-controlled hygiene conditions. These findings highlight a trade-off between the nutritional advantages of extensive systems and challenges related to milk hygiene. A balanced approach, optimizing both quality and sustainability, is recommended.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7906goat milkextensiveintensivelactation stagemilk composition |
| spellingShingle | Zoitsa Basdagianni Ioannis-Emmanouil Stavropoulos Georgios Manessis Georgios Arsenos Ioannis Bossis Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming Systems Applied Sciences goat milk extensive intensive lactation stage milk composition |
| title | Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming Systems |
| title_full | Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming Systems |
| title_fullStr | Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming Systems |
| title_short | Assessment of Milk Quality in Skopelos Goats Under Low- and High-Input Farming Systems |
| title_sort | assessment of milk quality in skopelos goats under low and high input farming systems |
| topic | goat milk extensive intensive lactation stage milk composition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/14/7906 |
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