Breeds Of Goats

Goats : Beetal

2008-06-04T10:33:00.002+07:00

Beetal

The Beetal is a breed used for meat and milk production. Found in Punjab, Pakistan and India, the Beetal is usually red, black or pied with pendulous ears. The males have long twisting horns. The breed is similar to the Jamnapari but smaller.

Reference:

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.

Photographs:

R. E. McDowell, Professor Emeritus of International Animal Science, Cornell University, and provided by Paul O. Brackelsberg, Professor of Animal Science, Iowa State University

We are currently searching for additional photographs and information on this breed. If you have materials which we could borrow or if you know of a potential source please contact us using the comment form below.

Goats : Bagot

2008-06-04T10:32:00.001+07:00

Bagot

The Bagot goat is one of the oldest breeds of goats in Britain today. It goes back in history to around the 1380s. This is when it was introduced to Blithfield Hall in Staffordshire. The actual date for this is well documented. It is likely that the Bagot may be descended from the Schwarzhal goat from the Rhone valley. There are many stories as to how they got to Blithfield Hall, the most likely one which cannot be proved , but the most factual being, some goats were brought back to England by the returning crusaders. Some were it seems, given to the then John Bagot who was at Blithfield, by King Richard II. This was in recognition of a good days hunting by the King at Blithfield, in Babots Park. It is known that these goats have been running semi-wild at Blithfield for well over 600 years. As regards the history story and the crusades. It must be pointed out that the crusades finished around 1100. The goats, so the story goes, went to Blithfield around 1380. This would indicate that the goats probably went first to one of the Royal Parks. The damage they would have done there, no doubt would have been considerable and the King would have been glad to get rid of them to another place where they could be enjoyed for hunting.

In 1998 there were approximately 200 pedigree nannies in Great Britain. They have no commercial use either for milk or meat.

One popular legend surrounding this breed is if the Bagot goat dies out then the Bagot family will die out.

Reference:
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.
Tony Jackson, Lancashire, England
Photographs:
Tony Jackson, Lancashire, England

Goats : Australian Goat

2008-05-20T20:43:00.002+07:00

Australian Goat

The feral or wild goat has been present in Australia in quite large numbers since the turn of the century.

Feral goat populations started with the abandonment of goat flocks in unprofitable or drought times and through the gradual build-up of escapees from shepherded goat flocks. Over the years feral herds have developed and multiplied in areas which have offered some natural defense against predators. These goats have effectively adjusted to the environment to the degree that there is no longer any strong resemblance to the original breeds.

Research indicates that these animals possess strong fiber and milk producing qualities. When domesticated and carefully selected, they provide an excellent base for the development of cashmere, mohair, leather and meat production programs. This domesticated animal is now being referred to as the Australian goat. An increasing number of producers are running them in conjunction with sheep, as a means of controlling weed and scrub growth.

These enterprises can now provide significant numbers of goats that are even in age, size and weight. Does from these flocks are suitable for breeding Cashmeres, cross-breeding with Angoras for fiber production and as recipients in fertilized ovum transplant programs.

Entrepreneurs are also utilizing the Australian goat for the overseas export of meat and skin.

Reference:
Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation,1989, 3rd Edition

Photographs:
Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation,1989, 3rd Edition

Goats : Arapawa Island

2008-05-20T20:42:00.002+07:00

Arapawa Island

The Arapawa goats are among the few survivors of the Old English milch (milk) goat which is now extinct to their native England. They may have been introduced as early as the late 1830s by the first European settlers, who established a shore whaling station on the island. Goats were recorded at the station in 1839. (An original suggestion that they are the descendants of goats released in New Zealand in the eighteenth century by James Cook, has now been disproved by historic research.) Left on Arapawa island to breed as a future source of food and milk by explorers, the goats came under seige in the 1970's. The goats have been recognized by the Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand. A number of Arapawa goats have been removed from the island over recent years and are now being bred by a few enthusiasts in various places throughout New Zealand. They are also being maintained in a reserve on Arapawa Island itself. In 1993 they were exported to USA and in 2004 to Great Britain. The goats are colorful with distinctive markings and brown and black patchwork.

Reference:

Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.
Betty Rowe, Picton, New Zealand
Photographs:

Betty Rowe, Picton, New Zealand

Goats : Appenzell

2008-05-20T20:40:00.002+07:00

Appenzell

Appearance: The Appenzell Goat is a pure white goat with mid-length hair. It has a powerful, harmoniously built body. The limbs are powerful and well positioned. The body is somewhat broader than that of the Saanen and therefore somewhat smaller. This goat is bred hornless. The height of the whithers is said to be 75 to 85 cm with bucks, and 70 to 80 cm with the nannies. The male animals are on average 65 kg in weight, and the female approx. 45 kg.

Distribution: The Appenzell Goat is found above all in both cantons Appenzell and St. Gallen (Toggenburg). In canton Zurich only the Zurich Goat is bred (today only very little!). It is a cross between the Appenzell and the Saanen.

Characteristics: In milk production the Appenzell Goat is on par with the other breeds: during lactation between 700 and 800 kg, fat 2.9%, protein 2,7%, lactation duration 270 days. As is generally known, milk production is heavily influenced by care. The number of herd book animals is around 800; the stock is slowly increasing again. This breed was very heavily affected by the CAE-Virus, so that extensive restoration had to be done. Today the breed is essentially CAE-free.

Breeding Book: The breed is officially recognized. The breeding books are kept by breeding associations and the herd book by the small animal center.

Reference:

Endangered Domestic Animal Breeds 1995, Pro Specie Rara, Engelgasse 12a, CH-9000 St. Gallen, Switzerland, Telefon xx41/(0)71/222 74 20, Fax xx41/(0)71/223 74 01. German Translation provided by John te Velde, Associate Professor of German, Oklahoma State University

Photographs:

Michael von Luttwitz, Max-Friesenegger-Str. 22, D-86899 Landsberg, Germany

Goats : Anglo-Nubian

2008-05-20T20:39:00.002+07:00

Anglo-Nubian

Another Names: Nubian (USA)

Anglo-Nubians were developed in England by crossing British goats with bucks of African and Indian origin.

The Anglo Nubian is an all-purpose goat, useful for meat, milk and hide production. It is not a heavy milk producer but has a high average butter fat content (between four and five percent). The Anglo Nubian breeding season is much longer than that of the Swiss breeds so it is possible to produce milk year round.

As it is the best suited of the dairy goat breeds to hot conditions, the Anglo Nubian has been used in grading-up programs in many tropical countries to increase the milk and meat production of local breeds.

The Anglo-Nubian is a relatively large, proud, and graceful dairy goat. The Anglo-Nubian goat is named for Nubia, in northeastern Africa. The originally goats imported from Africa, Arabia and India were long-legged, hardy goats that had some characteristics desired by goat breeders in England. English breeders crossed these imported bucks on the common short-haired does of England prior to 1895 to develop the Anglo-Nubian goat. In the United States the breed is usually spoken of as the Nubian.

The Anglo-Nubian is regarded as an "aristocratic" appearing goat and has very long, pendulous ears that hang close to the head. The Anglo-Nubian carries a decidedly Roman nose and is always short-haired.

Any solid or parti-colored coat is permitted in the Anglo-Nubian, but black, red or tan are the most common colors, any of which may be carried on combination with white. Usually there is shorter hair on the Anglo-Nubian males, particularly along the back and on the thigh, than is commonly found on the Swiss breeds.

The udder of the Anglo-Nubian is capacious but is sometimes more pendulous than that of the Swiss breeds. A mature doe should stand at least 30 inches at the withers and weigh 135 pounds or over, while the males should stand at least 35 inches at the withers and weigh at least 175 pounds. The Anglo-Nubian usually gives less milk than the Swiss breeds, but produces a milk of higher butterfat content.

The head is the distinctive breed characteristic, with the facial profile between the eyes and the muzzle being strongly convex. The ears are long (extending at least one inch beyond the muzzle when held flat along the face), wide and pendulous. They lie close to the head at the temple and flare slightly out and well forward at the rounded tip, forming a "bell" shape. The ears are not thick, with the cartilage well defined. The hair is short, fine and glossy.

Any color or colors, solid or patterned, is acceptable.

Reference:
Briggs, Hilton M and D.M. Briggs. 1980. Modern Breeds of Livestock. Forth Edition, MacMillan Company

Mason, I.L. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds. Third Edition. C.A.B International. 1988

Handbook of Australian Livestock, Australian Meat & Livestock Corporation,1989, 3rd Edition

Promotional Materials. American Dairy Goat Association, PO Box 865, Spindale, NC 28160. Phone: 704-286-3801

Photographs:

Carlos Edaurdo A. Souza, Brazil

Crystal D'Eon, Nova Scotia, Canada

Goats : Anatolian Black

2008-05-20T20:38:00.002+07:00

Anatolian Black

Also Known As: Kil-Keçi, Adi Keçi, Kara Keçi, Kilgoat, Turkish Native

The Anatolian Black raised in Turkey for its meat, milk and fiber. They are part of the Syrian type and while usually black they are sometimes seen in brown, gray or pied.
Reference:
Mason, I.L. 1996. A World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds, Types and Varieties. Fourth Edition. C.A.B International. 273 pp.
Photographs:

Prof. Dr. M. Ihsan SOYSAL and Research Asst. Emel ÖZKAN, Trakya University, Agriculture Faculty, Dept. of. Animal Sci., Tekirdag/TURKEY

Goats : Altai Mountain

2008-05-20T17:37:00.001+07:00

Altai Mountain

Also Known By: Gornoaltaiiskaya (Russian)

The Altai Mountain breed of wool goat was formed between 1944 and 1982 on collective farms of the Gorno-Altai Autonomous Region of the former Soviet Union; it is kept on pasture all the year round. The Altai Mountain is the result of Don goats used for improvement of the local goats.

Altai Mountain goats are uniform in colour, size, conformation and wool production. They are noted for strong constitution and adaptability to the severe conditions of extensive husbandry in the highlands. They have a relatively high live weight and good meat qualities and are able to fatten rapidly during a short summer period.

Altai Mountain goats are superior to local ones in live weight (5-10 kg more) and wool yield (3-4 times more). Live weight of males is 65-70 kg and that of females is 41-44 kg. However, like local Altai goats, they mature rather slowly and grow till the age of 5-5.5 years.

Wool of Altai Mountain goats has high technical qualities and is a valuable commodity for light industry. The guard hair is black and true wool dark grey. Laboratory data show that the true length of wool fibres in pedigree goats is 7.5-10 cm. The average diameter is 16-17 µm in adult goats and 15-16 µm in young animals. There is no apparent difference in wool fineness between flanks and thighs. Guard-hairs diameter is 75-90 µm. Wool content in the fleece of pedigree animals is 65-70%. Uniformity between them is not greater than 10%. Wool yields are 600-900 g for males and 450-600 g for females. Fibre length is 8-9 cm for both.

The viability of goats in conditions of extensive husbandry is quite satisfactory. The year-round maintenance on pastures does not lead to deterioration of the quality (strength, length, fineness) of the wool, because it grows in seasons which are favorable in terms of feeding. For Altai Mountain goats, the breaking length of wool (with 16-20 um diameter) is 9-9.5 km. For comparison, Merino wool up to 1/23 µm in diameter is considered strong enough if its breaking length is not less than 7 cm.

Breeding of Altai Mountain goats is directed to enlargement of the pedigree goat population and to increase of wool production and live weight, without losing the good adaptability to the special conditions of Siberia.

Pedigree goats are also raised for sale to other farms. This work is done mainly in the collective farm 50 Years of the USSR in Kosh-Agach district and in the state farm Edigansky in Shebalin district. In recent years this state farm has made a certain progress in raising young pedigree goats. The goat population increased from 7,700 in 1970 to 9,900 in 1983, and cashmere production rose from 2,600 to 3,840 kg.
Reference:

Dmitriez, N.G. and Ernst, L.K. (1989) Animal Genetic Resources of the USSR. Animal Production and Health Paper Publ. by FAO, Rome, 517 pp.

Mason, I.L. 1988. World Dictionary of Livestock Breeds. Third Edition. C.A.B International. 348 pp.
Photographs::

Dmitriez, N.G. and Ernst, L.K. (1989) Animal Genetic Resources of the USSR. Animal Production and Health Paper Publ. by FAO, Rome, 517 pp.

Goats : Alpines

2008-05-16T07:46:00.002+07:00

Alpines

The French-Alpine is a larger and more rangy goat and more variable in size than are the Swiss breeds. Mature females should stand not less than 30 inches at the withers and should weigh not less than 135 pounds. Males should stand from 34 to 40 inches at the withers and should weigh not less than 170 pounds. French-Alpine females are excellent milkers and usually have large, well-shaped udders with well-placed teats of desirable shape.

The French-alpine is also referred to as the Alpine Dairy goat and registration papers for this dairy goat use both designations and they are synonymous. These are hardy, adaptable animals that thrive in any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production. The face is straight. A roman nose, Toggenburg color and markings, or all-white is discriminated against. Alpine colors are described by using the following terms:

Cou Blanc - (coo blanc) literally "white neck" - white front quarters and black hindquarters with black or gray markings on the head.
Cou Clair - (coo clair) Literally "clear neck" - front quarters are tan, saffron, off-white, or shading to gray with black hindquarters.
Cou Noir (coo nwah) literally "black neck" - Black front quarters and white hindquarters.
Sundgau - (sundgow) black with white markings such as underbody, facial stripes, etc.
Pied - spotted or mottled.
Chamoisee - (shamwahzay) brown or bay - characteristic markings are black face, dorsal stripe, feet and legs and sometimes a martingale running over the withers and down to the chest. Spelling for male is chamoise.
Two-tone Chamoisee - light front quarters with brown or grey hindquarters. This is not a cou blanc or cou clair as these terms are reserved for animals with black hindquarters.
Broken Chamoisee - a solid chamoisee broken with another color by being banded or splashed, etc.
Any variation in the above patterns broken with white should be described as a broken pattern such as a broken cou blanc.

Breed Registries and Societies

Reference:

American Dairy Goat Association, PO Box 865, Spindale, NC 28160. Phone: 704-286-3801

Photographs:

Crystal D'Eon, Nova Scotia, Canada

Source : ansi.okstate.edu