Improve Goat Production Research Articles

Goat production performances in an upland area of East Java.

Etawah-grade does are being distributed amongst farmers in East Java to improve goat production. This study evaluates performances of local and Etawah-grade does in their first, second, third or fourth parity. Etawah-grade does were nine kg heavier on average than local does. Litter size and litter weight at weaning did not differ significantly between the two types of does. Litter weight expressed per kg metabolic body weight of the doe was higher in local does. The cut-and-carry goat production system based on feeding leaves from plantation shade trees, mainly Leucaena leucocephala, shows the potential of goat production as an integral part of upland farming systems in East Java.