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.