For a good list of meat goat breeds as well as milk goats, read more here. For this and many other reasons, the demand for goat milk is higher than ever. The six main dairy breeds can be divided more or less into two personality groups, the gentler, more docile group, and the more willful, hardertohandle group. This breed was developed in england and is a composite of dairy goat breeds from india, europe and africa. The myotonic goat is a very meaty and muscular animal. There are many recognized breeds of domestic goat capra aegagrus hircus.
Youll find with a little research that many people have differing views on what makes the best meat goat. The word boer is derived from the dutch word meaning farm. There is also a monthly graded goat sale in monroe, which supplements weekly auction market sales in smithfield, siler city and. Also known as the boran or somali goat, the breed has two subtypes known as degyir and degeun. The term brush goat is a general term used to refer to various breeds and breed mixtures that are known. May 28, 2008 the lamancha goat originated in the united states and is a mediumlarge breed. The anglo nubian is an allpurpose goat, useful for meat, milk and hide production. Capra hircus the goat, along with sheep, were among the earliest domesticated animals. An introduction to goat breeds animals grit magazine. Goat meat is leaner than poultry and other red meats, low in fat and cholesterol and is a source of conjugated linoleic acid. Winrock international livestock research and training center.
Breeds and production traits of meat goats meat goat breeds. Selecting your meat goat breed selecting the right breed of meat goat isnt very complicated in north america, mostly because the selection is quite small. In this article, youll learn what is the best goat breeds for milk and meat. They have white body with colored head and backward curved horns. Black bengal goat is considered as the best meat goat breed in terms of meat quality and taste according to iaea. Cabrito is from kids harvested within the first week of birth. Dualpurpose goats are breeds that are good at both meat and milk production.
You can choose an appropriate goat breed depending on your. The plus of crossbreeding with the nubian goat is getting access to that higher buttermilk fat content. This breed along with jamunapari of india together with native breeds of u. Development of the boer and savanna breeds began in south africa about sixty years ago. Goat production handbook heifer international south africa. This goat breeds out of season, and in many herds it is usual for does to kid twice a year. High butterfat breeds are great if you want rich milk for cheese, butter or ice cream.
The nubian goat, also called anglonubian, is considered a dualpurpose goat breed used for milk and meat production. Raising goats for meat and milk animals grit magazine. Name and characteristics of some highly meat productive goat breeds are given below. Most of the breeds dont make good fiber goats because they have short coats, but the spanish goat is an exception. But all of those goat breeds are not suitable for goat farming business. As a beginning goat producer you need to identify specific breeds by name, appearance, and general characteristics.
Note that the characteristics listed are what the breed is known for, but within each breed there is a great deal of individual variation. With a short, glossy coat of any color or pattern and a production of 1,050 to 3,510 pounds of milk per year 3. Select a breed from the list of breeds on the left. An introduction to common goat breeds mother earth news. Jul 22, 20 this is an educational presentation about the various breeds of meat goats. Goats meat also contains a lot less calories, saturated fats, cholesterol and is a lot better for your heart, brain, skin general well being. Pdf effect of goat breed on the meat quality researchgate. The boer goat is a breed that was developed in south africa specifically bred for highquality meat, hardiness and high resistance to disease. The myotonic goat has several aliases including tennessee stiffleg, tennessee woodenleg, nervous goat, falldown goat, and fainting goat. The goat, along with sheep, were among the earliest domesticated animals.
In the united states there are three primary types. This page presents a list of goat breeds used for the production of meat. They are the dairy, fiber and meat goats, which totals over 2. All breeds have their strengths and weaknesses and are suited to different environments and markets. Starting goat farming business plan pdf startupbiz global.
Some goat farmers say that for breeding stock, connecting with 4h and ffa can be a fruitful venture. The best way to lok at them is what works best for your farm and your family very few two decisions are the same. The decision as a youth project, meat goats are po pular because of the comparably short time, small investment, and minimal facilities that are needed for success. Degyir are medium sized, have white hair all over the body with a black skin, nose, feet and undertail. Meat goat breeds have certain traits that make them more productive than other breeds. Boer goats are considered to be the largest sized meat goats anywhere in the world. Raising goats for mizk and meat international goat association. The fore limb, ventral trunk and dorsal trunk of goat breeds were proportionally heavier than those of sheep breeds while sheep breeds had proportionally heavier hind legs. A lot of people around the world eat goat meat, which is lean and delicious. Brought into the united states at the beginning of this century, the nubian has become the most popular united states. The popular breeds for goat meat production include the boer breed, spanish breed, black bengal, kalahari, rangeland among others. The goat breeds which are famous for meat production are known as meat goat breeds. Raising meat goats can be a profitable small farm venture.
Barbari breeds are grown mainly for milk and meat purpose. Internal parasitism and hoof infections are obstacles to efficient, profitable goat production in high rainfall regions. Nigerian dwarf goats have the build of a dairy breed at a smaller scale, and have shorter coats. The breeds of meat goats that are available in the u. Boer goat the boer goat from south africa was imported into the u. The purpose of the breed was to develop a meat goat breed to meet commercial demands such as low maintenance, efficient feed utilization, good mothering skills, rapid growth, and thrifty kids. There are many goat breeds available in india depending on the geographical location. The boer goat is a highly productive meat breed and considered a superior breed.
This breed was developed by onion creek ranch through several generations of crossing tennessee meat goats with boer goats. Having a large population and growing meat lovers day by day provided the option to go for commercial goat farming throughout india. Female doe intact male buck castrated male wether young buck or doe kids or doelings 9. Pdf the quality of goat meat has recently become an important aspect in the marketing of goats in serbia. Chapter 2 breeds of meat goats oklahoma state university. It is a big animal with a fine skin and glossy coat, pendulous ears and roman nose. Sustainable goat breeding and goat farming in central and. New zealand kiko cross bred from feral, saanen and.
Different types of goats are available throughout the world. Goat breeds especially dairy goats are some of the oldest defined animal breeds for which breed standards and production records have been kept. Best meat goat breeds to raise profitable meat goats on. Breeds and breed characteristics agricultural research. May 01, 2006 dairy goat breeds have remarkably different personalities and interested breeders can always find a breed that they will enjoy the most. Boer goat the boer goat was developed in south africa. It is a horned breed with lop ears and shows a variety of color patterns although they are generally recognized for their red head and white body, such as 5. Like all other breeds of goat, they are used for meat and popularly called ogufe in most of the eateries in nigeria especially in the southwest. These breeds are probably the oldest of our meat goat breeds. Annual cases of lameness and internal parasitism requiring treatment in this study were more numerous in boer does than in kiko and spanish does table 2. The complete guide to raising meat goats for profit. The boer goat is primarily a meat goat with several adaptations to the region in which it was developed. Each breed is known for different qualities and traits that need to be considered before making meat goat breeding decisions.
Meat goat breeds and breeding plans breeding for purpose. Boer originating in south africa, these white with reddish brown goats are the most popular goat for meat in the united states. This south african based goat breed has long, hanging ears and roman nose. Boer the boer goat of south africa owes its name to the dutch word boer meaning farm and was probably employed to distinguish the farm goat from the angora goat imported into south africa in the 19th century teh and gipson, 1993. An adult female goat weighs between 25kgs to 35kgs, whereas an adult male goat ranges between 35kgs to 45kgs. Milk, fiber, and brush control were primary reasons of raising goats with meat being a byproduct glimp 1995. Breeds of meat goats a breed is considered a group of animals that are genetically related and can pass on certain characteristics to their offspring.
Some of those goats are suitable for milk production, some are popular for fiber production, some are famous for highly meat production and some are popular for raising as pets. Origin of the breed the improved boer goat originated in the eastern cape through selection from the indigenous goat breeds and other european breeds of the area. They are a heavier breed so they tend to run around 100 pounds making them an ideal meat breed. In its native west africa, the wadg is the dominant goat breed and is used almost exclusively for meat production devendra and burns, 1983. Sep 27, 2008 twinning is normal in goats with a high percentage of triplets some breeds have an average annual litter size above 2 per doe or more than 200% reproduction rate. Development of breeds of cattle, hogs, sheep, and dairy goats began about 200 years ago. They are generally large and muscular animals, which brings high. The ultimate guide to dairy and meat goats skyhorse publishing, inc. Breeds of meat goats available in the united states critter. As it is the best suited of the dairy goat breeds to hot conditions, the anglo. The first boer goat registration was started in 1959 in south africa. The american boer goat association combined its standards for full blood and percentage goats.
Kinder goats are a cross between a pigmy and nubian goat. Because meat goats are growing in popularity, breeders are crossbreeding the existing breeds to develop newer, better goats. The spanish goat is a landrace genotype that has evolved from centuries of natural selection in the us. Boer goats were bred in south africa for meat and selected for their superior body shape, high growth rate, and fertility. Name and characteristics of some highly meat productive goat breeds are described below. Another gentle goat, they are a favorite for pets as well as a homesteading addition. This breed was developed in england and is a composite of dairy goat breeds. It is the most well defined breed of goat perhaps in africa. Boer goat is considered to be one of the most desirable goat breeds for meat production lu, 2001 from birth up to four months of age, kids were suckled by their dams two times per day in. Pages in category goat breeds the following 7 pages are in this category, out of 7 total. Origin of the breed indigenous goats arrived in south africa and namibia with those migrating tribes which traditionally kept goats. It has become the most popular meat goat in the us since its introduction in the 1990s. These goats derive from the french alps, so they are also often called french alpine goats. Indian goat breeds information introduction of indian goat breeds.
A moderatesized meat goat and a trademarked cross between boers and tennessee fainters developed by onion creek ranch in texas. These multipurpose breeds produce milk, meat, fiber, and skins. The consideration of meat goat farms as producers of meat of. In fact, goats showing the boer coloring and traits often bring a premium price at auctions, much like a black angus steer. Nondescript range goats not of dairy or fibertype commonly called spanish goats evolved through natural sel ection from stock first imported to the semiarid. Comparison of boer, kiko, and spanish meat goat does for. Spanish the spanish goat is a meat type goat found primarily on or around the edwards plateau of central texas. It is possible to improve the capacity for potential milk production in the offspring derived from the crossbreeding of superior milk breeds from continental europe and indigenous populations from developing. Scale ruminant production1 for those considering small. Selecting and evaluating goats for meat production famu. More than sixty recognized or official breeds of goats exist in the world. Below, we list the top 18 goat breeds that are best for milk and meat and easy to keep at home.
Also, the dairy goat journal is a monthly publication that provides a lot of good information as well as information on the names and addresses of different breed organizations. The name is derived from the dutch word meaning farmer. The color of this breed is white with light brown patches. The population of myotonic goats is informally estimated to be around 3,000 to 5,000 head, with herds found primarily in tennessee and texas. The alpine, saanen and toggenburg breeds originated in the french and swiss alps and are often referred to as the swiss type breeds. For this post, the focus is on goats that excel at meat production. Usually meat goat breeds are mainly raised for their highly meat production purpose. Nubian the nubian goat, also called anglonubian, is considered a dualpurpose goat breed used for milk and meat production. Bovid, family bovidae, any hoofed mammal in the family bovidae order artiodactyla, which includes the antelopes, sheep, goats, cattle, buffalo, and bison. If your purpose for buying a goat is for meat or milk or maybe both, i got you covered. Weve compiled a guide to help you get the most good out of your goat. There are various breeds of goats which are used for commercial goat farming. Boer doe also produce milk highly but they are raised mainly for their meat. The percentage carcass bone content was highest in indigenous goat carcasses.
Justin mcdaniel osu pontotoc county ag educator identifies and discusses the various breeds of goats that can be used. Meat goat boer the boer is an improved indigenous breed with some infusion of european, angora and indian goat breeding many years ago. Savanna, a south african breed with a white coat and black skin, nose, horns and hooves. The fat globules in goats milk are much smaller than cows milk, which makes it easier to digest for those with milk sensitivities or digestive problems.
Other meat goat breeds include kiko, a new zealand goat with large, broad horns. Specific breeds are discussed later in this manual. Originally bred in spain, these goats made their way to mexico and from there they came into the us. Most people in the course will have backgrounds in either livestock or crop farming. Whether youre interested in a productive dairy goat or one that produces luxurious cashmere, selecting the right goat breed for your needs is paramount. Currently, there are over 30,000 registered pygmies in the us. However, they have a gentle built but are strong and vigorous. There are over sixty recognized breeds of goats that exist in the world today. There are very successful meat goat shows at the mountain and north carolina state fairs. Often considered multiuse breeds, miniature goats can be bred for dairy, meat, fiber, or kept as pets. Hux family farm 1923 shaw rd, durham, nc 27704 instructors will lead you through a 2 years ago. Among the meat goat breeds available around the world, boer is considered as best breed for meat production. Breed characteristics and personality contrasts in dairy goat.
Sheep and goats in developing countries world bank. Aug 17, 2012 there are 3 primary meat goat breeds managed in the us. The most widely available and the breed best suited to extensive range is the spanish meat goat, also known. The proportional lean content per cut of boer goats was comparable to that of sheep breeds. What sets the bovidae apart from other cudchewing artiodactyls notably deer, family cervidae is the presence of horns consisting of a sheath covering a bony core that grows. However, this is a seasonal market, and it can be hard to identify just what the judges are looking for. Selective breeding of goats generally focuses on improving production of fiber, meat, dairy products or goatskin. It is a cross between native african goats and european, angora and indian goat breeds. There are many meat producing goat breeds available throughout the world. Goat milk is known for having less lactose than other types of milk. This breed of goat is found mostly in the sokoto area of nigeria and part of the niger republic.
The breeds of meat goats, found in the united states today, are of very recent origin. The easiest way to tell between the most common breeds is to check the coat length. However, unlike sheep, their ancestry is fairly clear. Males can grow up to 300 pounds and are one of the most popular meat breeds. This name was probably used to distinguish these native goats from the angora goats that were imported into south. It is a horned breed with lop ears and shows a variety of color patterns although they are generally recog nized for their. Breeds of livestock goat breeds breeds of livestock. Goat breeds from continental europe with potential for increased milk production can contribute to rapid growth rate in their offspring. The focus of the manual is on european breeds of dairy goats.
Goat remains have been found at archaeological sites in western asia, such as jericho, choga, mami, djeitun and cayonu, which allows domestication of the goats to be dated at between 6000 and 7000 b. Breeds and production traits of meat goats nc state. Goat breeds fall into one or more of the following categories. Goats come in many colors, sizes, shapes and are used for many different purposes such as meat, milk, skin, fiber and as pets. Meat goats are generally not used for milking, and some even have traits that make them undesirable to milk. Boer goats are the most popular, but the kiko and the kalahari red are both close behind. The quantity and quality of milk a goat gives will vary by breed, forage and individual genetics. The contribution of traditional meat goat farming systems. When it comes to choosing a breed of goat, you need to know which goats are good for which purpose.
Spanish goats were the predominant type until the boer. Many of those breeds listed below are dualpurpose, that is they are also used for the production of milk or fiber. Meat goat breeding decisions made easier farm fit living. There are numerous meat producing goat breeds available throughout the world. There are numerous goat breeds but not all of them can be reared for meat or milk. The boer goat was imported in limited numbers into the u. Module 5 goat selection and breeding 1 goat breeds deciding which breed, or crosses of breeds, you are going to produce is an important starting point for any goat enterprise. Sheep and goat producer training, saturday january 20, 2018, guilford county extension office, 3309 burlington rd, greensboro nc 27405. The galla goat is a relatively large breed compared to the small east african goat breeds. Working with kids in 4hffa to supply them with show goats can be a big market for a small farmer. Nearly all goats can also produce some form of fiber and the most preferred color coats for fiber is white. The 5 best meat goat breeds for your homestead off the.
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