Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
remains very low (Dubeuf et al., 2004). Resources such as
feed and especially water are limiting factors for livestock
production in the future. Therefore, species that are more
adaptable and tolerable to shortages of feed and water may
be more sustainable and provide an alternative for food
security in areas that may face these limitations. However,
the necessary tools for higher education to train the future
trainers of this animal sector are very limited. It is diffi cult
to fi nd literature assessing teaching capacity in higher
education concentrated on educating students on goat sci-
ences. This is based on the observation that only three
articles were retrieved online when searching for goat
teaching information. The number of hits recorded for
teaching information for sheep and cattle were 4- and 12-
fold higher than for goats, respectively. There are very few
universities in the U.S. and most probably abroad that offer
courses in goat production, although interest in goat pro-
duction and research is increasing. After searching through
all Land Grant Universities in the U.S. and seven com-
monwealths and territories, it was found that among more
than 70 universities searched, only 20 offered either a
sheep and goat production course (total of 3), small rumi-
nant management course (1), or sheep science/sheep pro-
duction course (16). It is apparent that instruction quality
materials covering goat science and production are lacking
and there is a need to develop such informational materials
for instructional purposes.
sis or data are available in the areas of reproduction and
genetics followed by nutrition. In the area of nutrition,
protein nutrition resulted in more records followed by
energy nutrition. Energy nutrition of fi ber goats has
received more attention than other areas of their nutrition.
Studies or records on goat immunity, vitamins, and miner-
als are very limited.
During the past 2 decades, reviewing the literature,
much of the research was focused on the development of
successful reproduction techniques and selection model-
ing. During this period, newly improved breeds were
introduced—the Boer from South Africa and Kiko from
New Zealand—that have revolutionized the goat industry
in the world.
Several researchers have attempted to give an update on
current progress and future needs for goat research in
general (Sahlu and Goetsch, 2005; Sahlu et al., 2009) and
in detail (Morand-Fehr, 2005). It must be noted that some
research data collected in developed countries under a
temperate environment may have much less direct applica-
tion to subtropical or tropical environments. Also there is
much to learn about differences in animal performance in
intensive and extensive management systems for goats.
These factors must be considered in application of all
aspects of goat research.
Goat Production and Management
Although production and management research has
received less attention for goats than for sheep and cattle
(Table 19.1), it has been investigated fairly as an area of
emphasis within goat research (Table 19.2). Dairy and
meat goats have received an equal share of research in this
area as indicated in the database search. However, appli-
cability of research conducted in temperate regions of the
world with mostly intensive management practices may
have little use in other regions that are less developed and
are the home of a majority of the goats in the world. One
of the major factors that can vary depending on regions
where goats are raised is ambient condition, namely tem-
perature and humidity. We know that ambient condition
can impact energy requirement; therefore, future research
should focus on determining lower critical and higher criti-
cal temperatures for goats. This could be more challenging
due to the fact that goats having different genotypes vary
considerably in thickness of skin and insulating fi ber.
AREAS OF GOAT RESEARCH
In the past 20 years, a strong interest in goat research and
publications was renewed by the crucial role that the
International Goat Association and the journal of Small
Ruminant Research played in the communication of scien-
tifi c advancements in goat research. These entities enabled
goat researchers to communicate their original fi ndings
and reduce duplication as well as to provide information
for advancement of the industry.
The research literature or other available published
materials were searched using different search engines,
including PubMed (publications related to National Library
of Medicine), PubMed Central (all publications related to
National Institute of Health), USDA Web site, and Agricola
(all agricultural literatures related to USDA National
Agricultural Library). Key words related to goat type, pro-
duction, nutrition, reproduction, genetics, and immunity
were used for this search. Table 19.2 represents the number
of records found in each category. According to the search,
it is clear that within goat types, dairy goats have been
investigated more than meat or fi ber goats in all areas of
goat production. Within the production area, more empha-
Goat Nutrition Research
The nutrition of an animal plays an important role in its
well-being, and it is a major contributing factor to the cost
of production. Therefore, more research is justifi ed in
