goats of the west indies

Faculty of Agriculture, University of the West Indies, St . Augustine, Trinidad. - Station de Recberches Zootechniques, Centre de Recherches Agronomiques des Antilles

et de la Guyane I . N . R. A . , Petit-Buurg, Guadeloupe

Goats of the West Indies

By C. DEVENDKA and M. CHENOST

Receipt of M s . 19. 7. 1972

Introduction

I n many parts of the tropics goats have developed more through genetic isolation and natural selection than by purposeful breeding. In many instance these types or breeds have never been adequately or accurately described (DEVENDKA and BURNS, 1970). The goat populations of the West Indies are no exception to this. Although goats have flourished in nearly all of these islands, and in some, such as in Jamaica, showing also considerable commercial potential (DEVENDRA, 1971), very little or no attempt has been made to des- cribe them. This paper describes the distribution and the types of goats, both indigenous and imported, and also some aspects of their performance in the West Indies.

Distribution of goats within the west indian region

For purposes of this paper, the West Indies is defined to include the Common- wealth Caribbean, French West Indies, Netherlands Antilles, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Commonwealth Carribbean includes the Baha- mas, Jamaica, the Leeward and Windward islands of the Eastern Carribbean, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana (Fig. I).

The largest concentrations of goats are to be found in Haiti, the Domi- nican Kepublic, Jamaica and Cuba. Together, these territorries carry about 94.6 O / o of the total goat population in the West Indies. Within the Common- wealth Caribbean, Jamaica has the largest goat population, with only about I d O / o of this population being found in Trinidad and Tobago, the next largest group. I t was particularly noticeable that both the Leeward and Windward islands had the smallest goat populations (4,000 to 6,000 goats).

The majority of goats (52 to 98 Oiu in individual territories) are reared in holdings up to 5 acres in size. The West Indies Census of Agriculture (1961) has further reported that goats were often kept in holdings without land.

Surveys and observations in these territories further indicated the tendency towards small size farms was concurrent with small size flocks. Milk

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84 C. Devendra and M . Chenost

Fig. 1 . Map of the West Indies

goats were reared almost exclusively on houses built adjoining the owners’ homes. The overall mean number of goats reared was 7. The greater tendency towards small flocks in most parts of Commonwealth Caribbean except Ja- maica, is consistent with the observation that goat production is uncommer- cialised and is essentially a preoccupation of the small farmer.

In all these territories the majority of goats are distributed in the drier areas where the rainfall is low. Often these are areas of marginal agricultural production which are not really suited to alternative agricultural production. In Jamaica for example, goats are largely concentrated in the drier southern coastal regions, in the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Manchester, St. Catherine, St. Ann and Clarendon. The rainfall in these parts can be as little as 89 cm. Likewise, goats also thrive in the more drier southern and eastern regions of Antigua with an average rainfall of about 112 cm., and in Barbuda which has an average rainfall of about 76 cm.

The primary value of goats in the entire West Indian region is in meat production. Milk is of secondary importance. This fact is consistent with the strong tradition for goat meat consumption in the West Indies. For the small farmer in particular, goats are valuable in their supply of animal protein, meat mainly, and also in the domestic consumption of milk. In Jamaica for instance, the per caput consumption of goat meat alone is as much as 5 to 6 kg. per year. Meat is consumed in various ways but there is a particular preference for the meat from young goats up to one year of age. “Goat stew” and “Goat water” are examples of traditional preparations of meat from mainly young animals. The very high demand for goat meat is further re- flected by creole and crossbred goats. The economics of meat and milk production in Trinidad and Tobago has been shown to be profitable (DEVENDRA and RANKINE, 1971).

Goats of the West Indies 85

Description of types of goats

The types and breeds of goats in the West Indies are very diverse, due to several years of random breeding and natural selection and also the introduction of several exotic breeds from outside the Caribbean. For purposes of describing these goats however, they can be grouped into three categories:-

(i) Indigenous (ii) Crossbreds (iii) Exotic

(i) Indigenous goats

The indigenous or creole goat is an extremely hardy and widely scattered animal throughout the West Indies. I t also appears to be widespread in Central and South America as it has been found in Belize and also in Venezuela.

Indigenous goats in addition to their value in meat production have also served as the basis for genetic improvement. In Puerto Rico for example, these goats have been upgraded by Saanen and other breeds from Barbados ( S ~ N - FIORENZO, 1957).

The indigenous goat is mainly black or brown in colour, with the former being more common. However, other colours are also present. Often the dominant black colour is associated with white patches mainly around the belly.

The coat is thin with coarse hair and the “Mane” of coarse hair is well developed in males. Horns are invariably present and are scimitarshaped, sweeping upwards and backwards and these are found in both males and females. Ears are generally short and pricked. Females seldom have beards but this is common in males. The body is on the whole small and compact, having the general conformation of a meat type animal (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2 . British Alpine and Indigenous Crossbred goat for milk production in Trinidad. Adult live weight is about 30 kg

86 C. Devendra and M. Chenost

Males and females weigh 25 and 20 kg. respectively. These goats are very late maturing. The average rate of live weight increase per day for different stages of growth is given in table 1. The mean daily live weight increase up to one year age was 48 g.

Table I

Average rate of Growth of Indigenous Goats in Guadeloupe

Period Daily rate of gain (months) (8.1

I 0- 2 70 3- 6 45 7-12 30

I Mean : 48

The average height at withers is about 50 cm. for females and 60 cm. for males. In Guadeloupe adult females (2 years and older) each weighed about 25 kg. and had a height at withers of 51.4 IL 3.5 cm. The heart girth has been found to be related to live weight, with a correlation coefficient of r=0.87. A regression equation has also been developed based on the linear deviation on the log of weight as follows:-

where X is the live weight in kg. and Y is the heart girth in cm. It is possible therefore to predict with reasonable accuracy the adult weight from a know- ledge of chest girth.

At any one age, there is considerable variation in live weight. This has been found to be of the order of 20 to 25 O/o and due to genetic and pheno- typic factors.

It is interesting to note that the indigenous goat, particularly those with a dominant black colouration, have a strong resemblance to the Kambing Katjang of Malaysia and Indonesia (DEVENDRA, 1966), the Ma’Tou goat (EPSTEIN, 1965) of the Hupeh Province of China, and the East African goat of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania (MASON and MAULE, 1960). It is possible that they all belong to one racial group.

X = 0.021Y - 0.044

(ii) Crossbred goats

The West Indian region has for several years been exposed to the introduction of various exotic breeds of goats from mainly temperate countries. The first and earliest of these importations appears to be associated with the entry of trading ships and also the arrival of immigrants. It is known for instance that goats were commonly carried on ships bringing Indians to work on sugar cane fields so as to supply milk for the children.

The Jamnapari from India was in this connection probably the earliest breed of goat to be introduced. The Indians continued to their destination in another vessel, but the goats were left in Barbados.

It is not easy to make a very definite distinction between indigenous and crossbred goats, especially since the latter have also evolved after several years of adaptation to the environment with varying degrees of influence by

Goats of the West Indies a7

one or more exotic breeds. Numerically however, indigenous and crossbred goats form the bulk of the goat population in the West Indies. There arc however certain features inherent in the crossbred goats that make them different to the indigenous goats. These pertain to size, colour, ear shape, presence or absence of horns and their shape, presence of tassels and function. SHANNON (1956) for instance describes two types of goats in Barbados: small goats with prick ears in the country districts and larger, lop-eared goats around the livery stables of Bridgetown. Likewise, indigenous goats in Puerto Rico are believed to be of Spanish origin and have been used to improve milk production by crossbreeding with imported breeds (SANFIORENZO, 1957).

Crossbred goats have varied colours ranging from brown, black, white to fawn. Likewise ear shape, horns and tassels are extremely variable. Typical adult weights are 30 kg. for females and 35 kg. for males with corresponding height a t withers of about 5 5 cm. and 60 cm. respectively. They grow relatively faster in comparison to creole goats. In Trinidad and Tobago, the majority of crossbred goats are used for milk production, whereas elsewhere in the Caribbean such as in Jamaica, they are used mainly for meat production (Fig. 3 ) . The goats of the Bahamas have probably descended from goats brought into these islands after the American Civil War (Fig. 4).

Fig. 3 . Indigenous or creole go.it in Guadeloupe. Adult live weight is about 25 kg

(iii) European breeds

Several improved breeds such as the Anglo-Nubian, British Alpine, Saanen, Toggenburg, French Saanen and the Chamoisee have been introduced from temperate countries including America, England, France, Germany and Swit- zerland. Interest in these goats and promotion of goat keeping was considerably increased by the presence of Goat Societies in Trinidad and Tobago.

These breeds of goats have had varying degrees of success in the West Indies. Among the Ango-Nubian, British Alpine, Saanen and Toggenburg in the British Caribbean, the least successful has been the Toggenburg. The

8 8 C. Devendra and M . Chenost

Fig. 4. Crossbred goats in the Bahamas

most outstanding has been the Anglo-Nubian; both at Government stations and in private farms, this breed has been particularly successful. In Jamaica the breed is used almost exclusively for meat production and the majority of farms have a breeding programme based on this breed. Anglo-Nubian have also been introduced into Belize, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Antigua, Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana.

British Alpine and Saanen goats have also been extensively imported for milk production. Saanen goats have been used extensively for crossbreeding. They are very popular among goat fanciers in central and South Trinidad. British Alpine goats are also popular but they follow only after the Anglo- Nubian and the Saanen. Typical milk yields of these goats in the West Indies have been reported (DEVENDRA and BURNS, 1970; DEVENDRA and RANKINE, 1971). More recently, studies on milk composition have been made (DEVENDRA, 1972) and low values relative to similar figures for temperate breeds were found, It has been suggested that this could be a feature of imported dairy goats in the tropics and that inadequate nutrition may well be the main cause.

In the French West Indies, two varieties of the French Alpine breed, the Saanen, and the Chamoisee breeds have been introduced. The largest population of these is maintained at the Station de Recherches Zootechniques, I.N.R.A. in Guadeloupe. The Saanen breed has produced an average of 331 to 447 kg. of milk over five lactations during a lactation period of 205 to 255 days. The Chamoisee by comparison, has produced an average of 274 to 425 kg. of milk during a lactation period of 205 to 225 days, which is lower than that of the Saanen. The butter fat content for both breeds varied from 2.5 to 2.9 O / o which is very low; in comparison to the same breeds in France these figures are about 6 to 7Q0/o lower (CHENOST and GEOFFROY, 1971). The reasons for this are attributed mainly to climate (low rainfall and high humidity) and also inadequate nutrition which necessitates at least one third of the dry matter intake of the total diet coming from concentrates.

Goats of the West Indies 89

Management practices

The systems of goat production in the Caribbean have been described (DE- VENDRA, 1971) and are briefly

(i) tethering (ii) extensive production

(iii) intensive production. The extensive method is the most traditional and is of two types: a. small scale production of about 5 to 40 goats in urban-fringe areas and b. large scale production of about 50 to 400 goats in rural-fringe areas. In general, very little purposeful management is directed at goats, and throughout the West Indies goats tend to fend more for themselves than be the recipients of management practices that could stimulate greater ofitakes from them. The possibility of intensive goat production on cultivated grass pastures such as Pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) needs further evaluation. The West Indies is considerably favoured by a variety of by-products which are particularly valuable to goats and ruminants in general. Greater use can be made use of these, particularly during the very dry months between December to April when vegetative growth is minimal and the intake of dry matter is low. These problems have been discussed (DEVENDKA, 1970, 1971).

Oestrus

Puberty occurs at about 6 months age. Peak oestrus activity in goats in the West Indies is from August to September. This pattern is also true for goats in Venezuela. In Guadeloupe, 62.6 Q / o of the births occured during the months December, January, February and March (Fig. 2) which correspond to peak sexual activity between August to September.

The European breeds also cycle all the year round and for all goats the general tendency is to have annual kiddings. Three kiddings in two years is however more common.

Prolificacy

The creole goat is prolific and twinning is common. Fertility increases with age and in Guadeloupe, the average prolificacy is 2.1 1 kids per birth.

The tendency is to have 3 kiddings in 2 years, 6 kids per 2 years or 3 kids per year can be expected. The average kidding interval was about 237 days. Between July and November this period was shorter and was 202 days, whereas between December and June it is longer and was 272 days (COGNIE et al., 1971).

Concluding Comments

The goat populations of the West Indies represent a valuable component of the entire livestock industry. Goats are reared in all territories and their value is greatest to the small farmer as a source of supplementary income. They are also important as a source of animal protein.


In general, however their overall contribution i n comparison to other livestock is relatively small. The goat populations have thrived and evolved in tune with the environment, providing some returns in relation to their low productivity. The present very high demand for goat meat in particular necessitates greater exploitation of its potential. In Jamaica and in Guade- loupe possibilities of greater productivity from goats has already been demonstrated, and such possibilities could be extended and taken advantage of in other territories in the West Indies.

Adtnowledgenients

The authors are grateful to Mr. W. P. RICE of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Bahamas and other colleagues in the various territories in the West Indies for their interest and assistance in this project.

Summary

The total goat population in the West Indies is about 3.2 millions and the largest concentrations are found in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Cuba, which together account for approximately 95 O / O of the total goat population in the West Indies. The primary value of goats is in meat production and milk is of secondary importance.

The majority of goats in the West Indian region are kept in holdings up to 5 acres in size. In Guadeloupe and Trinidad and Tobago the rearing of up to 10 goats per farm was common.

The goats in the West Indies are three categories: indigenous or creole, crossbreds and European breeds. The indigenous goats are small animals weighing 20 to 25 kg. with females having a height at withers of about 31 cm. Heart girth and live weight have been found to be correlated (r = 0.87) and a regression equation X = 0.21 Y - 0.044 has been developed where X is the live weight in Kg. and Y the heart girth in cm. The average daily live weight increase up to one year of age is 48 g. 20 to 25 O/o variation in weight has been found at any given age. These creole goats have a striking resemblance to the Karnbing Katjang goat of Malaysia, the Ma’Tou goat of central China and the East African of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania; it is possible that they have a common ancestor.

The crossbred goats are much larger and are the products of various breeds that have been introduced at one time or another. These include the Jamnapari, the Anglo-Nubian, Saanen, British Alpine, Toggenburg and the Chamoisse from America, Europe and Asia. Anglo-Nubian crossbreds are very popular for meat production in Jamaica, whereas in Trinidad and Tobage these and Saanen crossbreds are used for milk production. Crossbred goats are much larger and have a higher growth rate in comparison to the indigenous goats. Of the European breeds that have been introduced, the Anglo-Nubian and Saanen have been particularly successful, and the Toggenburg is least popular.

The systems of goat production are of three categories: tethering, extensive production and intensive production. Extensive production is of two types, small scale production of 5 to 40 goats in urban-fringe areas and large scale production of about 50 to 400 goats in rural-fringe areas. Possibilities of commercial goat production for meat on improved Pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) pastures have been demonstrated in Jamaica. Peak oestrus occurs between August to September and about 63 O/o of the goats kid between De- cember to March. Indigenous goats are prolific and have produced an average

Goats of t h e West Indies 91

of 2.1 kids per birth. The average kidding interval is 237 days. For all goats, 3 kiddings in 2 years are common. The value of greater support and possibilities of exploiting goats to increase their present low productivity are discussed.

Rdsumd

La population caprine aux Antilles s’Clkve A environ 3,2 millions de tktes, elle est concentrCe surtout A Hai’ti, en RCpublique Dominicaine, en Jamai’que et A Cuba qui posskdent approxiinativtment 95 “/a de l’effectif total. La chkvre est Clevke essentiellement pour la production de viande, la production laitikrc i tant secondaire.

Ces chkvres se trouvent principalenient d a m de petites propriCtCs n’excd- dant pas 2 ha. Dans quelques Ples comme Antigue, Barbude, Saint-Kitts, Nevis, Angilla, Dominique, Barbade, Saint-Vincent, Sainte-Lucie et Grenade od la population caprine est peu importante, 86 A 99 O/n de l’effectif est 4levC dans des propriitks infCrieures A 2 ha. A la superficie rkduite des Clevages correspondent d’ailleurs des troupeaux de petite taille, notamment en Guade- loupe et 1 Trinidad et Tobago od il est rare de treuver plus de 10 chivres par klevage.

O n peut classer les chi.vres antillaises en 3 catCgories : indigineou crbole, croisCe, europienne. La chkvre crkole est de petite taille, la femelle adulte ayant une hauteur au garrot de 51 cm et pesant 20 25 Kg. Le tour de poitrineY (em) et le poids vifX(Kg) sont Iiks positivement (r = + 0,87) par 1’Cquation de regression Log X = 0,021 X - 0,044. Le gain de poids quotidien moyen de la naissance A 1’8ge d’un an est de 48 g. A un Age donnh la variabilitk du poids est de 20 A 25 O/o . Cette chkvre crhole possbde une Ctroite ressemblance avec la chivre Kambing Katjang de Malaisif, avec la chhvre Ma’Tou de Chine centrale et avec la chhvre d’Afrique de 1’Est (Kenya, Uganda et Tanzania); il est possible qu’elles posskdent un ancetre commun.

Les chhvres croisics, de plus grande taille, sont les produits des diffbrentes introductions de races amilior4es hffectuCes dans le pass4 : Jamanapari, Anglo- Nubienne, Saanen, Alpine Anglaise, Toggenbourg, Chamoiske d’Amirique, d’Europe et d’Asie. Les croisements Anglo-Nubiens sont trks apprkciis en Jamai‘que pour la production de viande alors qu’A Trinidad et Tobago ils sont utilisis, ainsi que les croisements Saanen, pour la production laitikre. Ces ch6vres sont de taille plus importante et ont une vitesse de croissance plus grande que les chkvres crColes. Parmi les races europCennes importkes, c’est ]’Anglo-Nubienne et la Saanen qui ont obtenu le plus de succks et c’est la Toggenbourg qui a CtC la moins populaire.

I1 existe 3 systkmes d’ilevage aux Antilles: I’Clevage au piquet, 1’4levage eatensif, I’ilevage intensif. L’blevage extensif a lieu soit au voisinage des villes avec des troupeaux de 5 A 40 chkvres soit en zone rurale avec des troupeaux de 50 A 400 chhres. La production commerciale de viande de chivre, A partir de prairies de Pangola (Digitaria decumbens) exploitCes rationnellement est possible ainsi que le montrent les rCalisations de Jamai‘que. L’activitC oestrienne maximum se situe entre aoQt et septembre et 63 p. 100 des naissan- ces ont lieu entre dCcembre et mars. La chkvre crkole est tr is prolifique, le nombre de chevreaux par mise-bas est en moyenne de ?,I . L’intervalle moyen entre deux mise-bas est de 237 jours. I1 est en moyenne possible, pour I’en- semble des chkvres, d’espirer trois mise-bas en deux ans. L’intCrCt du dkve- loppement de l’klevage caprin et de son intensification en vue d’une plus grande productivitk est discutk.


Zusammenfassung

In Westindien leben ungefahr 3,2 Millionen Ziegen, wovon annahernd 95 O / o

in der Republik Haiti, der Dominikanischen Republik, Jamaika und Kuba gehalten werden. Man ziichtet die Ziege vor allem fur die Fleischproduktion, erst an zweiter Stelle fur die Milcherzeugung.

Die Ziegen werden hauptsachlich in Kleinbetrieben gehalten, die nicht mehr als zwei Hektar Land umfassen. Auch auf einigen Inseln wie Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, Angilla, Dominica, Barbados, St. Vincent, Sta. Lucia und Grenada, wo wenig Ziegen sind, werden 86 bis 99 O / o auf Betrieben unter zwei Hektar GroBe gehalten. Kleinflachige Betriebe haben auch nur kleine Ziegenherden, namentlich auf Guadeloupe und Tabago, wo man selten mehr als zehn Ziegen pro Zuchter findet.

Die Ziegen in Westindien kann man in drei Gruppen einteilen: Einhei- mische oder kreolische, Kreuzungen und europaische Ziegen. Die kreolische Ziege ist kleinrahmig; ein weibliches erwachsenes Tier weist eine Widerrist- hohe von 51 cm auf und hat ein Korpergewicht von 20 bis 25 kg. Der Brust- umfang y (cm) und das Lebendgewicht x (kg) stehen in Korrelation mit- einander (r = + 0,87) und konnen mit der Regressionsgleichung log X = 0,021 Y - 0,044 errechnet werden. Die durchschnittlichen taglichen Gewichts- zunahmen betragen im ersten Lebensjahr 48 g. 20-25 O / o Abweichungen vom durchschnittlichen Korpergewicht gibt es in jedem Lebensalter. Diese kreolische Ziege besitzt eine groi3e Ahnlichkeit mit der Kambing Katjang Ziege in Ma- laysia, mit der Ma-t'ou-Ziege in Zentralchina und mit der Ziege Ostafrikas (Kenia, Uganda, Tanzania). Es wird daher fur moglich gehalten, dai3 sie einen gemeinsamen Vorfahren besitzen.

Die Kreuzungen, die g r o h h m i g e r sind, stellen die Produkte aus den ver- schiedenen in der Vergangenheit eingefiihrten Rassen und den kreolischen Ziegen dar. Es wurden eingefuhrt: Jamnapari, Anglo-Nubische, Saanen und Britische Alpenziegen, weiter Toggenburger und gemsfarbige Gebirgsziegen aus Amerika, Europa und Asien. Die Kreuzungen der kreolischen und der Anglo-Nubischen Ziege sind auf Jamaika wegen ihres Fleisches sehr geschatzt, wahrend sie auf Trinidad und Tabago ebenso wie die Kreuzungen mit der Saanen-Ziege wegen der Milch bevorzugt werden. Diese Kreuzungstiere sind grofler und frohwiichsiger als die kreolischen Ziegen. Unter den aus Europa eingefuhrten Rassen haben die Anglo-Nubischen und die Saanen-Ziegen den grogten Anklang gefunden, wahrend die Toggenburger Ziege weniger ver- breitet ist.

In Westindien werden drei Haltungssysteme praktiziert : Tudern, extensive und intensive Haltung. Die extensive Haltungsform findet man in der Umgebung der Stadte mit Herden von 5 bis 40 Tieren oder in dorflichen Gegenden von 50 bis 100 Ziegen. Die gewerbsmaflige Ziegenfleischproduktion ist auf verbesserten Pangolagras-(Digitavia decumbens)Weiden moglich, wie auf Jamaika gezeigt worden ist. Die Hauptbrunstzeit liegt in den Monaten August und September; 63"/0 aller Ablammungen finden in den Monaten Dezember bis Marz statt. Die kreolische Ziege ist sehr fruchtbar, die durch- schnittliche Lammerzahl betragt 2,1, die mittlere Zeitspanne zwischen zwei Ablammungen 237 Tage. Fur alle Ziegen kann man durchschnittlich 3 Ab- lammungen in zwei Jahren erwarten.

Der Wert groi3eren Interesses fur die Entwicklung der Ziegenzucht und ihre Intensivierung im Hinblick auf eine hohere Produktivitat werden dis- kutiert.

Goats of the West lndies 93

References

CHENOST, M.; GEOITROY, G., 1971: Observations on the behaviour and performance of an Alpinr d'iiry goat herd in the tropical humid zone. 2nd Int. Conf. Goat Breeding, Tours, France. 17-19th July, 1971.

COGNIF, Y.; HOUIX, Y.; LOGEAY, B., 1971: Data on the characteristics of growth and repro- duction of the indigenous goat in Guadeloupe. 2nd Int. Conf. Goat Breeding, Tours, France, 17-19th July, 1971.

DIVENIXA, C;., 1966: Goat breeds of Malaysia. Malays. agric. J. 45, 268-274. DI.VENURA, (I., 1970: Management of goats in Jamaica. Caribbean Farming 2, 30-31. DEVENDRA, C., 1971 a : Goat production in Jamaica. Z. Tierziichtg. Zuchtgsbiol. 88, 69-78. I ~ V E N D R A . C.. 1971 b : Goat Droduction in the Caribbean. 2nd Int. Conf. Goat Breeding,

L

Tours, France, 17-19th July, 1971. DEVENDRA. (1.. 1972: The milk coinDosition of imported British Alpine and Anglo-Nubian

goats in Trinidad. J . Dairy ~ c s . (In press). UIVENDRA, C.; BURNS, M., 1970: Goat Product ion in the Tropics. Tech. Commun. Conimonw.

Bur. Anim. Brecd. Genet. No. 19, Farnham Royal, Bucks: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaus, x i i + 184 pp.

I ~ I ~ V ~ N D K A , C. ; RANKINE, L. B., 1971: The present status and future for goat production i n Trinidad and Tobago. J. agric. Soc. Trin. & Tob. 71, 455-483.

EI'STEIN, H., 1969: Domestic animals of China. Tech. Commun. Commonw. Bur. Anim. Breed. Genet., No. 18, Farnham Royal, Bucks: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux, xviii + 166 pp.

MASON, I. L.; MAULE, J. P., 1960: The indigenous livestock of Eastern and Southern Africa. Tech. Commun. Conimonw. Bur. Anim. Breed. Genet., No. 7, Farnham Royal, Bucks: Commonwealth Agricultural Bureaux. vii + 39 pp.

SANFIOKENZO, J. H., 1957: A study of milk production by native, Barbados and crossbred goats in Pucrto Kico. Bull. Univ. Puerto Rico agric. Stn. No. 139, 37 pp.

West Indian Census of Agriculture, 1961 : British Devrlopment Division, Bridgetown, Barbados.

Authors' rlddrcss: Dr. C. DEVENDRA, Animal Improvement Research Division, Malaysian Agricultur.il Research and Development Institute, Serdang, Sclangor, Mdays ia - Ur. M. CHFNOST, Institut National dc l a Rcchcrche Agrono- miquc, Centre de Kechcrches Agronomiques dcs Antilles et de 1.1 Guyane, Station d c Rcchcrchcs Zootcchniques, Domain Duclos, Petit-Bourg, Guatlcloupe.

goats of the west indies

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