The objective of this study was to evaluate the average daily production, the physicochemical components and microbiological agents in milk of primiparous and multiparous dairy goats that participate in dairy tournaments in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Analyses were carried out on 111 samples of goat milk from 106 goats (39 Saanen, 6 Toggenburg and 61 crossbred) grouped into categories by number of parity (primiparous and multiparous) and stage of lactation [initial (0 to 30 days), peak (30 to 45 days) and decrease (over 45 days)]. The data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. The multiparous goats had higher average production at the beginning (4.41 kg/day) and peak (5.42 kg/day) of lactation. Between breeds there was no difference for average production (4.62 kg/day), freezing point (-0.488º C), pH (6.64), density (1.030 g/L), fat (3.60%), protein (2.90%) lactose (4.89%), dry extract (8.41%) or total solids (12.06%). Mesophiles (log CFU/mL) and fecal coliforms (log MPN/mL) were found in milk from goats, but no difference was observed between the orders of parity or between breeds. Multiparous goats had higher milk production, but did not differ from the primiparous goats regarding the composition, physical characteristics and microbiology of milk. The milk of 3 breeds (Saanen, Toggenburg and crossbred) presented similar physico-chemical, microbiological and production characteristics.
Goats; parity; breeds; semiarid