Meat and Dairy Goats
Principles of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Why Goats??
Ranchers use goats for: Meat Mild Brush control And Weed management
Interesting Facts to know….
Goat Origin: Eastern Mediterranean and Asia
Major Producers: India and China
Goats supply 1.8% of total annual global milk production
However…1/2 of the world’s population rely on goat’s milk as their sole source of milk
American Dairy Goat Association provides standards for the ideal characteristics of dairy goats
Goat Meat processed …..
Cabrito: BBQ goat Chevon: goat meat that is a delicacy
Dual Purpose breeds
Dual pupose goat:
Cashmere
- meat and fiber goat
-Not a distinct breed of goats
Angoras Originated in Asia
Minor Produces Mohair wool The buck has spiral
horns They are known for
their ability to browse
Pygmy Goat Originally called the
the Cameron Dwarf Goat
Found in Northern Africa
Medium-long hair Vertical stripes on
front side
Fainting Goat They have a genetic
problem with relaxing muscles. When they are startled or surprised
their muscles lock up and the goat then sometimesfalls over.
http://animal.discovery.com/videos/weird-true-freaky-fainting-goats.html
Dairy Goat Breeds
Desirable dairy traits: Angular Long neck Long body Thin and alert Straight top Strong chine and loin Smooth shoulders Level from hip to pin
bones
Sharp withers Spring of rib Wide and deep body Big bones Structurally correct Pliable, soft udder Good udder attachment Slight tilt forward and
outward to teats
Defects to select against:
Blindness Extreme thinness Permanent lameness Double teats Other permanent defects
French ALPINE Originated in the
French Alps. Range in color from
fawn to piebald Are larger and more
rangy than the Swiss breeds.
Also referred to as the Alpine Dairy goat.
Oberhasli
Medium in size, vigorous, alert Swiss Must be shades of red bay, black on
underside and below knees, black dorsal strip, black point, but all black bucks are not allowed
LaMancha Originated in Oregon Short-ears Dairy goat White
Saanen
Originated in Switzerland
Does are heavy milkers White to cream in color Sensitive to excessive
sunlight performs best in cooler temperatures
Nubian As it is the best suited
of the dairy goat breeds to hot conditions
The Anglo Nubian is an all-purpose goat, useful for meat, milk and hide production.
Toggenburg
Switzerland breed Oldest known dairy goat breed Prefers cooler climates, erect ears, solid
light fawn to dark chocolate body with distinct white markings
Meat Goat Breeds
Qualities of a meat goat:
Well balanced, deep, wide body Straight top and underline Good muscle Desirable conformation Long cannon bone Long body Wide chest floor Structurally correct
Spanish
Originated from Spain Also known as “feral or
brush goat” Small size, agile, and
capable of eating a much less desirable diet .
Boer Originated from South
Africa Heavy muscled breed Long drooping ears Red heads with a
white strip in middle.
Long Hair Boer:
Later maturing meat goat Long hair that reduces the value of the skin
Ordinary Boer:
Good meat conformation Fine short hair Does not meet breed coloration standards
Polled Boer:
Naturally hornless meat goat
Indigenous Boer
Long legs Variable and poor confirmation Variety of color patterns
Improved Boer:
Meat goat that has been emphasizing good confirmation
Rapid growth rates High fertility Color and type uniformity Hardiness Adaptability to environment
In Conclusion…
Goats are the most popular in the world Goat meat and milk are the most widely
consumed all over the world With proper grazing management, goats can
eliminate noxious weeds, restore native grasses, and prevent fires through fuel load reduction.