Data paper: Milk production, body weight and body condition score during lactation in dairy goats: time-series data and model-based curves from two French herds

We collected data from routine measurements carried out on two experimental farms: the MoSAR experimental farm (Yvelines, France) and the Le Pradel experimental farm (Ardèche, France). At MoSAR, milk yield ( MY ) was recorded at each milking using an automated system. BW was measured with a walk-over scale installed in the milking parlour, providing BW readings at each milking, which were then averaged to obtain daily BW values. Body condition score ( BCS ) was scored individually at the lumbar and sternal regions on a scale of 0–5. At Le Pradel, MY was recorded individually according to the national performance control method, while BW was measured using a standard scale. BCS assessments at this farm followed the same methodology as MoSAR. The dataset includes MY, BW, lumbar BCS ( BCS_L ) and sternal BCS ( BCS_S ) data collected from 1996 to 2020. Dataset 1 included 1 442 goats (1 132 Alpine and 310 Saanen) with a total of 4 068 lactations. After filtering outliers and selecting goats based on criteria established in a previous study, we obtained datasets 2–5. Dataset 2 contained 400 520 MY records from 3 421 lactations, while Dataset 3 contained 216 269 BW records from 2 925 lactations. Dataset 4 contained 18 848 BCS_L records from 1 462 lactations. Dataset 5 contained 20 510 BCS_S records from 1 630 lactations. Time series data for each lactation were modelled using different approaches tailored to record frequency (daily, weekly, or monthly), following a methodology developed in a previous study to characterise phenotypic dynamics. These historical data sets are unique due to their longitudinal nature, covering a large goat population. In particular, the MoSAR experimental farm provides high-frequency MY and BW measurements, making these datasets particularly valuable for precision livestock research.