Comparison of Different Lactation Curves Models in Saanen Goats

Abstract

Monthly 71 lactation records were collected from Saanen dairy goats in private farms. Three different lactation
curve models were then comparatively examined for these data.The purpose of this study was to examine the
models of lactation curve of purebred dairy goats and make some suggestions concerning appropriate mathematical
model.
The following three models were used to describe the milk production:
R2 values obtained from model ( 3 ) were all greater than those found from other models (1,2).In addition, the
Mean Square Error (MSE) of model 3 was lower than the Mean Square Error (MSE) of the other 2 models.Hence
model (3) was seen to be superior to other models.