Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
season breeding and its economic feasibility must be
researched. Uniform carcasses with consistent quality are
needed for successful marketing. Goats usually are low in
subcutaneous fat; therefore, research should be focused on
the proper cooling time and environment for reduction of
carcass shrinkage. Duration of aging carcasses and envi-
ronmental conditions for aging must be standardized. The
current desirable weight for slaughter animals is set at
about 30-35 kg in the U.S. This may be modifi ed for pro-
duction of larger carcasses resulting from new, improved
meat goat breeds that mature faster and provide more
appropriate retail cuts. More research is needed to predict
lean to bone ratios based on more easily measurable traits
similar to those for cattle. Other factors in raising slaughter
kids, such as composition of gain, previous plane of nutri-
tion, and compensatory growth, must be investigated. Also
the effi cacy of more than one kid crop per year and nutri-
tional needs of the doe and kids must be defi ned.
Two major health problems in the U.S. are cardiovascu-
lar diseases and cancer. The fat content of goat meat is
considerably lower than for beef, pork, or lamb. Goat meat,
with its low cholesterol and high proportion of unsaturated
to saturated fatty acids when compared to other meats, can
play an important role in the diets of health conscious
consumers fi ghting cardiovascular diseases. In addition,
comparing levels of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a
cancer - fi ghting fatty acid found in ruminants, to chicken,
goat meat is a healthier choice. Also, goat meat is produced
free of hormones, antibiotics, and other additives when
compared to poultry or other red meats; however, these
facts are poorly documented and researched. Consumers
are more health conscious these days and, when given a
choice, would probably select an alternative to the cur-
rently available red meat sources (Solaiman, 2007).
Goat milk and cheeses are also of superior quality when
compared to cow milk. Goat milk has been recommended
for patients that suffer allergies from cow milk or other
food sources. More research is warranted to investigate
other goat milk products and their nutritional quality for
promoting human health.
Goat fi ber, cashmere and mohair, is a high priced and
very respected textile in the world. There is a need for
practical and affordable objective methods for measuring
luster of white mohair and color of cashmere. Such instru-
mental methods would be useful for selection and in
marketing.
various geographical regions. Small ruminants, especially
goats, are important in Africa in semiarid and arid regions.
Grazing systems are important for Central and South
America where population density is low. Asia's livestock
is found mainly in mixed farming systems. Understanding
these differences in different agricultural zones and how
they impact animal production systems is important. It is
anticipated that more livestock will be produced under
grazing systems and mixed farming systems.
Mixed or co-grazing of goats and cattle, rotational
grazing, and strip grazing, and their impacts on internal
parasite load should be investigated. Research relating to
small ruminant productivity under different livestock pro-
duction systems is lacking. Research relating the produc-
tivity changes of newly improved breeds of goats raised
under a landless intensive system compared with their
productivity in grazing systems is scarce. Information
related to grazing of other ruminant species may not
directly apply to goats, because of their selectivity for dif-
ferent botanical composition and types of plants. The eco-
nomic value of an indigenous breed of goats versus an
improved breed under different production systems must
be evaluated. And fi nally, more research is needed to deter-
mine the most sustainable goat production systems in
terms of being economically viable, environmentally
friendly, and socially acceptable.
Social Values of Goats
Goats have a unique place in the lives of women in devel-
oping countries by giving women a sense of worth and
social status. Goats are usually owned and managed by
females and the children in the household. Strengthening
technical capacity and improving women's agricultural
expertise can enhance food security in the next century.
There is a need to assess the role of women together with
goats in shaping societies, not only from a socioeconomic
view, but also relative to cultural and social perspectives.
In developed countries, rapid urbanization has separated
people from nature, and new generations have little under-
standing of food and fi ber. Goat shows have been gaining
popularity especially in the U.S., and well-to-do families
with young children are becoming more involved in these
shows. The effects of goats on the lives of the young gen-
eration must be valued, and the social impacts of these
activities on societies must be investigated.
Predator Control
In 2005 in the U.S. alone, loss from predators was more
than 155,000 goats and kids. The majority of losses or 65%
were attributed to coyotes, 15% to dogs, 6% to mountain
Production System Research
The relative importance of different production systems
(see also Chapter 10) and animal species differs across
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