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 sometimes falls over.  true-freaky-fainting- goats.html 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.