Intensive Goat Research Articles

Comparison of the Fatty Acid Profiles of Sow and Goat Colostrum.

Currently, the utilization of hyperprolific sows has stimulated the search for supplements aimed at enhancing piglet survival, as these sows yield more offspring than they can adequately feed with their colostrum production. In contrast, intensive goat farming often yields surplus colostrum, thus necessitating its removal, since kids are exclusively fed colostrum through lactation solely within the initial day of birth. The objective of this study was to examine and compare the fatty acid (FA) profiles of colostrum from sows and goats, together with possible influencing factors such as sow parity and the postpartum day of the goat, for possible use as an energy supplement for neonatal piglets. Swine colostrum was collected from sows with a 0-5 parity. In addition, samples of goat colostrum were collected on their first (D1) and second (D2) days of postpartum milking. The FA profiles of the colostrum were analyzed via gas chromatography. The parity value of the sows did not affect (p > 0.05) the FA colostrum composition. High proportions of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids were found in both types of colostrum. Levels of palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids were significantly higher in D1 goat colostrum, whereas saturated FAs of less than 14 carbons (4:0, 6:0, 8:0, 10:0, and 12:0) were found in higher proportions in D2. These FAs play an important role in colostrum as they are a readily available source of energy and have also been attributed strong antibacterial activity. Therefore, goat colostrum, especially D2, could be used as an alternative energy supplement for newborn piglets, in particular for the weakest and smallest of the litter, which are the most in need.

Optimizing Feed Formulation Strategies for Attaining Optimal Nutritional Balance in High-Performing Dairy Goats in Intensive Farming Production Systems

Abstract Genetic factors play a pivotal role in shaping feed formulation strategies for dairy goats, influencing milk production, composition, and overall productivity through the modulation of genetic parameters and polymorphisms associated with milk protein fractions and yield. Moreover, environmental challenges, including heat stress and feed availability fluctuations, pose significant hurdles in achieving optimal nutrition and performance, necessitating precision livestock farming and the utilization of local by-products to mitigate their impact on herd health and productivity. In addition, nutritional interventions, such as supplement utilization and alternative feed incorporation, offer promising avenues for addressing specific deficiencies and enhancing overall performance, from fatty acid supplementation to herbal feed additives, while balancing rations to meet evolving nutritional needs and ensuring long-term sustainability remains paramount for optimizing herd nutrition, health, and performance in intensive dairy goat production systems. The aim of this study was to explore the multifaceted influences of genetic factors, environmental challenges, and nutritional interventions on feed formulation strategies and overall herd nutrition, health, and performance in intensive dairy goat production systems.

Determination of the growth and survival characteristics of the kids of damascus goat x kilis goat F1 under breeding conditions

This study aimed to investigate the survival rate and growth performance of the kids of Damascus x Kilis goat F1 bred under intensive conditions. 37 male and 33 female kids of 54 dams (Damascus x Kilis F1 goats) in an enterprise of intensive dairy goat breeding in the Bismil district of Diyarbakır province were used in the study. The birth weight of kids and their monthly weights up to 7 months of age were determined. In the study analyzing the growth and development characteristics of kids of Damascus x Kilis F1 goats up to 210 days of age, it was determined that their mean live weights on the 0th (birth), 30th, 60th, 90th, 120th, 150th, 180th, and 210th days were 3.96±0.124, 7.47±0.306, 10.99±0.506, 13.71±0.592, 15.54±0.643, 24.08±1.019, 22.22±1.033, and 27.51±1.168 kg for males, respectively; whereas, the mean live weights of females were 3.40±0.128, 6.46±0.312, 9.61±0.490, 12.29±0.584, 15.79±0.772, 22.40±0.856, 22.60±0.809, and 24.11±0.937 kg, respectively. Given the type of birth, the mean live weights were found to be 4.12±0.124, 7.42±0.338, 11.29±0.549, 13.89±0.691, 16.51±0.764, 24.08±1.132, 24. 31±1.146 and 26.92±1.269 kg in singleton kids, and 3.28±0.103, 6.58±0.289, 9.42±0.418, 12.20±0.459, 14.83±0.608, 22.51±0.745, 22.74±0.753, and 24.90±0.915 kg in twins, respectively. Also, in the study the effect of sex and birth type on various period weights was analyzed and it was found that birth type had a significant effect (P<0.005) on birth weight, and live weights on the 60th and 90th days, while the effect of sex was insignificant. When the survival capacity of the kids was analyzed, the kids were observed to die at the time of birth, but there was no death in the later periods and the survival capacity was found to be 100% from birth until the 210th day.

Prevalence of Zoonotic Intestinal Parasites in Meat Goats in Southern Thailand.

Background: Intestinal parasites not only lead to poor goat health and productivity but can also affect human health. We investigated the distribution of zoonotic intestinal parasites among goats in southern Thailand to assess the human health risks. Materials and Methods: Overall, 561 fecal samples were collected randomly from goats in farms (55) in Songkhla, Satun, Pattalung, Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces between January 2020 to January 2022. Parasite eggs were detected via the standard protocol formalin ether concentration technique (FECT). Results: Samples containing one or more intestinal parasites accounted for 97.33% (543/561) of the total samples, and the percentage of zoonotic parasite was 80.04% (449/561). Among the positive samples, two types of zoonotic helminths were identified, Strongylid egg type (79.32%) and Fasciola spp. (2.14%). Strongylid egg type was highly abundant in samples from Satun (84.62%), Songkhla (82.74%), Pattalung (79.31%), and Yala (77.27%). Fasciola spp. was mostly found in samples form Pattalung (13.79%) and Songkhla (1.12%). Eimeria spp. was the mostly identified protozoa 25.67%. It was mostly identified in samples from Narathiwat (75%), Pattani (41.9%), and Songkhla (31.41%). Mixed infections accounted for 40.82% of the total with 33 patterns. It was found that Strongylid egg types occurred in 28 patterns (84.85%). Strongylid egg types-Eimeria spp.-pattern was the most commonly found. Conclusion: Based on the results, zoonotic helminth infection was found together with widespread and high diversity of intestinal parasites infection in meat goats, which affect animal health and may pose a risk to human health. Mass deworming programs with a proper anthelmintic drugs and good agricultural practices need to be encouraged by the government so that people who contact with goats should practice good hygiene behavior. Farm management should be applied by intensive goat raising with pasture circulating to reduce parasite egg contamination. Moreover, fresh fertilizers from goat faces should be avoided.

Designing Selection Indices for the Florida Dairy Goat Breeding Program

The aim of this study was to compare selection indices for important traits in intensive Spanish goat breeds in four economic scenarios, using the Florida as most representative breed of this production system in Spain. For this analysis, we considered the following traits: milk yield (MY), fat plus protein yields (FPY), casein yield (CY), somatic cell score (SCS), reproductive efficiency (RE), litter size (LS), mammary system (MS), final score (FS), body capacity index (BCI), and length of productive life (LPL). We estimated the genetic parameters and EBVs of most of these traits with REML methodology, while LPL was modeled through survival analysis. Four scenarios were proposed, depending on the overall objective for improvement: (1) milk production, (2) milk production and cheese extract, (3) cheese extract, and (4) milk production, cheese extract and sale of animals. Then, within each scenario, three different types of indices were designed using the different primary and secondary objectives/criteria considered suitable to improve the overall objective. The results indicated that selecting only for primary traits yielded the highest genetic response for all the scenarios. Including secondary traits led to positive correlated responses in those traits, but a decrease in the responses in the primary criteria.

Analyzing the production efficiency of meat goat farming and factors influencing the decision to expand the scale of meat goat farming in Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province

Raising meat goats is an activity that can bring high profits to the people in Ninh Thuan province. However, currently, the people in Ninh Thuan still face many obstacles in developing intensive meat goat farming. This research aims to determine the production efficiency and determinants of the decision to expand the scale of meat goat farming in Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province. Data was collected by surveying 177 households raising meat goats fattening in the form of intensive farming in the three communes of Phuoc Thai, Phuoc Son, and Phuoc Hau of Ninh Phuoc district. The results of the analysis using descriptive statistics and Logit regression model show that: (1) Intensive confined meat goat farming brings relatively high economic efficiency; (2) There are 10 factors influencing the decision to expand investment in intensive confined meat goat farming by households in the following decreasing order: income expectation, market convenience, finance, participation in training, educational level, farming area, farming experience, selling price, current profit, and disease rate. Based on the analysis results, the study proposes key policy implications for expanding the scale of confined meat goat farming in Ninh Phuoc district, Ninh Thuan province, including policies on consumption, capital, disease prevention, improving labor capacity, and cost control measures.

Effects of implementing a semi-stall-feeding system on goat kid survival and farmer adoption in western Odisha

A study was conducted over an eight-month period in 2016 with the objective of implementing and evaluating a semi-stall-feeding system in comparison to the traditional grazing system on goat farms in Kandhamal district, Odisha. Sixteen households across two villages were randomly selected from a sampling frame of farmers that owned at least four adult female goats. Four households from each of the two villages were randomly assigned to the control group (C) that engaged in traditional grazing of goats and four households to the supplemented group (S) which applied semi-stall-feeding (concentrate feeding at 2% of the herd's total body weight of goats). The potential outcomes of a transition to intensive goat production system were assessed by monitoring growth, survival, and milk quality on goat farms. Farmers' input concerning technology adoption was documented. Survivability was 4.26 times greater for kids in the supplemented than control group. Adult and kid weights did not differ among the groups. Sixty-three per cent of participating farmers were interested in supplementing their goats after the project and willing to pay between 1.5 to 15.0 USD/ household per month on goat feed. Results from this study will help policymakers about the potential impact of reducing goat dependence on grazing land and tribal farmer receptivity to goat system intensification.

Comparison of Beetal Goats’ Reproductive Effectiveness under Different Management Approaches

The Beetal goat or Lahori goat is a breed from the Punjab region of Pakistan and India. It is used for milk and meat production. It is similar to the Jamnapari goat and the Malabari goat. Beetal goats have been widely used for improvement of local goats throughout the subcontinent. These goats are also adapted to stall feeding, thus are preferred for intensive goat farming. The Beetal goat and the Malabari goats are usually compared for their body characteristics. The objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of beetal goat reproduction under different management techniques. Based on reproductive effectiveness and growth parameters, the results of two goat production management systems, namely (1) seasonal breeding and (2) year-round breeding, were compared. The study was performed out during a one-year period. The data was collected from two farms for this study, the 1st farm was the private farm known as Noor-Hussain Goat Farm in Raiwind and 2nd farm was Bahadurnagar Research Institute in Okara which is run by the government. Adult goats (n=72+) were collected for this study and their reproductive and productive traits were examined (2-bucks with each flock).

Analysis of Management, Labor and Economics of Milking Systems in Intensive Goat Farms

Dairy goat farms are growing in the world, but their technological level and, particularly, milking equipment are less developed than those of dairy cow farms. This study aims to evaluate milking parlors in the current situation in modern goat farms and suggest possible solutions or improvements. Ten goat farms located in various municipalities of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region (Northeast Italy) adopting different milking systems (parallel milking parlors, milking carts, and milking buckets) were monitored. The mathematical model developed originally for the evaluation of milking parlors for dairy cows was modified and adapted to goat milking systems. Time for milking and final specific direct costs are the main parameters that enable evaluation and choice of suitable milking parlor; neglect or promotion of only one of the mentioned criteria may lead to an uneconomic investment or impaired operation of a farm. The research results showed that the modern milking systems, with a greater number of stalls and milking clusters, have a greater capacity and require less time for milking a goat than bucket and cart systems. The study also demonstrated that increasing the capacity of dairy goat farms enables a reduction of the final specific costs for milking.

Influence of precision livestock farming on the environmental performance of intensive dairy goat farms

The implementation of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) concepts has been pointed out as an indirect strategy that could potentially help mitigating the environmental impacts of livestock production systems. To date, few studies have focused on analyzing specifically the relationship among PLF adoption and environmental performance, so sustainability benefits have not yet been quantified for many technologies. Moreover, studies evaluating the environmental impact of dairy production have traditionally focused on cattle, and when exploring sheep or goats, they have often involved extensive, low-productive systems, providing an incomplete picture of the sector. In this study we apply life cycle assessment (LCA) to analyze the environmental impact associated to intensive dairy goat production, and to explore the influence of adopting a smart-farming PLF platform on the environmental performance of a group of dairy goat farms in Spain. The PLF-platform relies on systematic on-farm monitoring of individual animal data, coupled with big data processing and interpretation, which supports farmers to take adequate -and timely-farm management decisions. In order to capture its influence, two different periods were analyzed in five selected farms: a baseline year just before innovation was implemented (2014) and four years after (2018), when most of the effect of improved management was reflected. Results after the PLF-platform implementation showed significant reductions (−11%) in greenhouse gas emissions and similar trends in other impact categories (9–16% reductions). The PLF platform provided a precise monitoring of the productivity, genetic merit and physiological state of each animal, allowing adequate criteria for a number of decision-making processes, such as selecting animals for breeding, replacement or culling. This optimization led to an increase in the genetic selection progress, ultimately reflected on milk productivity. Moreover, a reduction of unproductive periods such as first partum age or dry period length was often achieved. As a result of this general improvement, the efficiency of resource usage in relation to milk (and meat) production was increased, with positive effect on the environmental performance. Production of 1 kg of fat and protein corrected milk (FPCM) resulted in 1.53–1.71 kg CO2 eq. Results in other impacts categories were also in a similar range than previously reported values for highly productive dairy systems, including dairy cattle, which stresses the important role that small ruminant farming can play on environmentally sustainable livestock production, particularly in the Mediterranean context.

​Caprine Respiratory Mycoplasmosis (Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia CCPP)- A Global Perspective of the Disease, Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Chemotherapy and Immunization: A Review

Mycoplasma infection of the respiratory tract of goats is prevalent worldwide including the South Asian sub-continent. Owing to intensive and large scale goat farming, the incidence of the disease is on an increase. Among various species of mycoplasma, Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies Capri pneumoniae is increasingly incriminated in Contagious Caprine Pleurapneumonia (CCPP) in goat populations with considerable economic fallout in the form of high morbidity and mortality. The disease manifestations in caprines are recorded as anorexia, high febrile reaction and respiratory embarrassment in the shape of clinical dyspnoea, polypnea, paroxysmal cough and sero-purulent nasal discharges. The disease is thus contracted by the healthy animals through aerosol, contaminated feed and water sources in the herd premises, without a protective immunity and that the conferred immunity in recovered cases being short-lived. The true lesions of CCPP are confined to the lung alveolar tissues of infected goats, which distinguish it from other respiratory diseases of small ruminants caused by the members of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster. Atypical pneumonia caused by the mycoplasma infection of goats, also known as Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) has been more often reported from Africa and Asia than Europe. Classical, acute CCPP attributed to Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. Capri pneumoniae, originally known asthe F38 biotype (World Organisation for Animal Health, 2008) causes heavy kid mortality. Two other organisms in this group, M. mycoides subsp. capri and M. mycoides subsp. mycoides large-colony type, can cause disease in small ruminants that clinico-pathologically mimics CCPP but may have extra pulmonary signs and lesions, sometimes. Mycoplasma Capri pneumoniae and other members of the M. mycoides cluster cross-react in serological tests and share biochemical and genetic similarities. The most favourable epidemiological scenario in the Sub-continent is the hot humid climate during monsoons. The diversity and multi-etiological subspecies involved in the disease is detrimental in the development of an effective vaccine even though in some places a liquid vaccine is presently in use. At other places, anti-mycoplasmal antibiotics of aminoglycoside and fluoroquinolone and perhaps the macrolide groups remain to be the main option in preventing flock mortalities.

An Important Genotype for Sustainable Extensive Goat Production Systems of Turkey: The Gökçeada Goat

In this study, it was aimed to report some traits of Gökçeada goats, which raised under the natural conditions of Gökçeada, with respect to their protection within the scope of genetic resources. In this respect the information obtained from the goats supplied from the Island and reared in a semi-intensive system at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University and also the information obtained from the literature were collected and the biological and zootechnical identifications of the Gökçeada goat were performed. Gökçeada goats, which are predominantly black, have yellow or red blazes on both sides of their heads including their eyes. It was seen that Gökçeada goats had similar body measurements and lower live weights as compared to those of the same species on the mainland. The birth weight and the mature live weight of Gökçeada goats were found as 2.55 kg and 38 kg, respectively, whereas their mean kid yield per goat at birth was determined as 1.6 to 1.8 kids. Individuals with a milk yield of 591 kg were striking in the Gökçeada genotype, in which the mean lactation length and the mean lactation milk yield were determined as 251 to 259 days and 227 to 245 kg, respectively. Its milk fat (4.92-5.75%) and milk protein (3.29%) resembled those of our other native breeds. It is necessary to reveal, with more elaborate studies, the potential for Gökçeada goat cheese that is greatly demanded on the Island. It was determined that the Gökçeada kids, which were considered as dairy kids, had some small but nonfat carcass and that their meat was soft and of a light color and had a slight smell. One should be careful about the adaptation of the Gökçeada genotype, which successfully maintains itself under the island conditions and which is the source of income for producers, to intensive and extensive goat production systems.

Inoculation with rumen fluid in early life as a strategy to optimize the weaning process in intensive dairy goat systems

Ruminants are born with an undeveloped physical, metabolic, and microbial rumen. Rumen development is limited under artificial rearing systems when newborn animals are separated from the dam, fed on milk replacer, and weaned at an early age. This study aims to evaluate the effects of early-life inoculation of young ruminants with rumen fluid from adult animals. Eighty newborn goat kids were randomly allocated to 1 of 4 experimental treatments and inoculated daily from d 1 to wk 11 with autoclaved rumen fluid (AUT), fresh rumen fluid obtained from adult goats fed either a forage diet (RFF) or concentrate-rich diet (RFC), or absence of inoculation (CTL). Goat kids were artificially reared with ad libitum access to milk replacer, starter concentrate, and forage hay. Blood was sampled weekly and rumen microbial fermentation was monitored at 5 (preweaning), 7 (weaning), and 9 wk of age (postweaning). Results indicated that inoculation with fresh rumen fluid accelerated the rumen microbial and fermentative development before weaning. As a result, RFC and RFF animals had higher solid feed intake (+73%), rumen concentrations of ammonia-N (+26%), total volatile fatty acids (+46%), butyrate (+50%), and plasma β-hydroxybutyrate (+48%), and lower milk intake (-6%) than CTL and AUT animals at wk 5. Inoculation with fresh inoculum also promoted early rumen colonization by a complex and abundant protozoal community, whereas CTL animals remained protozoa free. Although all kids experienced moderate growth retardation during 1 wk after weaning, inoculation with fresh rumen fluid favored the weaning process, leading to 2.2 times higher weight gain than CTL and AUT animals during wk 8. Some of these advantages were retained during the postweaning period and RFF and RFC animals showed higher forage intake (up to +44%) than CTL and AUT animals with no detrimental effects on feed digestibility or stress levels. The superior microbial load of RFC compared with RFF inoculum tended to provide further improvements in terms of forage intake, plasma β-hydroxybutyrate, and rumen protozoa, whereas AUT inoculation provided minor (if any) advantages with respect to CTL animals. Although no differences were noted on animal growth, this study suggests that early life inoculation of goat kids with rumen microbiota can represent an effective strategy to accelerate the rumen development, facilitating a smooth transition from milk to solid feed and to the potential implementation of early weaning strategies.

Developing Feeding System and Tecnology Innovation for Intensive and Export-Oriented Goat Production

There is large potential for exporting meat goats and so gaining more economic benefit from raising this animal. There are several constraints faced by the goat producers or traders in fulfilling the potential demand of the market. Developing a more intensive goat production system is urgently needed in order to increase the capacity of the stock supply while at the same time the goat population is developing to make the system sustainable in the long term. 
 In intensive goat production system feed play a central component in achieving the maximum economic efficiency of the production, since under such production system the feed could contributed up to 70% of the total production cost. To reach a high efficiency in feed utilization for goat production system there are at least two feeding system that could be considered. Feeding system and feed management is aldo critical to be developed intensively to be more well adaptive. Feed budget or feeding standard are some alternative feeding approach for intensive goat production system and feeding strategy and feed technology are important in optimizing the level of productivity of goats during each phase of its life cycle and production.

Management options to reduce the environmental impact of dairy goat milk production

Although numbers are still low compared to cattle rearing, intensive dairy goat farms have been widely spreading in the Italian livestock systems. Since goats are quite rustic, they can easily adapt to different management practices; however, improving the efficiency can make the difference, both in productivity and on the environmental impact attributed to goat milk production.In the present study, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach was used to quantify the potential environmental impact of goat milk production system in 17 farms in Lombardy (Northern Italy). Together with the environmental assessment, statistical analysis was carried out in order to determine whether it was possible to identify any relation among the variables that characterise this farming system.From an environmental point of view, it has been shown that the lower the individual milk production, the more it affects the environmental impact: specifically, the carbon footprint appears higher than the one emitted by cattle milk production. Climate Change resulted, on average, equal to 2.67 kg CO2 eq/kg Fat and Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) with a wide variability (min: 1.12 kg CO2 eq/kg FPCM; max: 5.05 kg CO2 eq/kg FPCM). Purchased feed was the main hotspot for several environmental impact categories (such as freshwater eutrophication, land use and mineral, fossil and renewable resources depletion). Enteric emissions and emissions from manure storage were hotspots for climate change, particulate matter and terrestrial acidification. The C sequestration during crop cultivation was not considered. As shown by the statistical analysis, the main driver which influenced the 6 main impact categories was, in fact, individual milk production. The environmental assessment was also performed considering a second Functional Unit (FU) (i.e. 1 ha of land) and the statistical analysis conducted on this FU showed the relevance of livestock intensity. In addition to this, the statistical analysis also showed how a restricted land availability can negatively affect the environmental outcome. This study represents one of the first studies on the environmental impact assessment of dairy goat milk production. Additionally, studying two FUs and using a statistical analysis approach helped to identify the main management options to which farmers should pay attention to improve goat milk production from an environmental point of view.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Dairy Goat Farming Systems: Abatement Potential and Cost.

Simple SummaryAgriculture and particularly livestock farming is associated with the production of certain gases that contribute to global warming, commonly referred to as greenhouse gases. These gases are the result of the use of machinery and other inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides or are associated with the digestion process of animals. In this work, we have analyzed data from dairy goat farms in Greece to estimate the amount of greenhouse gases per kilogram of milk produced and identify farming practices that can result in their reduction. We found that greenhouse gases per kilogram of milk are fewer in farms that are characterized by higher milk production per goat. Furthermore, certain practices like the use of homegrown feed instead of purchased feed and the use of compound feedstuffs or oil-rich feedstuffs like cottonseed cake can result in lower greenhouse gases in goat farms. Also, the analysis suggests that the reduction of greenhouse gases can lead to a reduction of farm income, especially in the case of intensive farms. This finding has to be taken into consideration by policy makers and possible measures to compensate for this income loss have to be explored.Dairy goat farming is an important agricultural activity in the Mediterranean region. In Greece the activity offers occupation and income to thousands of families mainly located in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas of the country where it utilizes low productivity pastures and shrub lands. Furthermore, goats are more resilient to climate changes compared to other species, and are often characterized as ideal for keeping in drought areas. However, there is still limited evidence on total greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted from goat farms and their mitigation potential. In this context, this study aims to estimate GHG emissions of goat farms in Greece and explore their abatement options using an economic optimization model. Three case studies are explored i.e., an extensive, a semi-intensive and an intensive goat farm that correspond to the main goat production systems identified in Greece. The analysis aims to assess total GHGs as well as the impact of abatement on the structures, gross margins and labor inputs of the farms under investigation. The issue of the marginal abatement cost is also addressed. The results indicate that the extensive farm causes higher emissions/kg of milk produced (4.08 kg CO2-eq) compared to the semi-intensive and intensive farms (2.04 kg and 1.82 kg of CO2-equivelants, respectively). The results also emphasize the higher marginal abatement cost of the intensive farm. In all farm types, abatement is achieved primarily through the reduction of the livestock capital and secondarily by other appropriate farming practices, like substitution of purchased feed with homegrown feed.

Herd management and welfare assessment of dairy goat farms in Northern Cyprus by using breeding, health, reproduction, and biosecurity indicators.

This study describes the results of a farm-based welfare assessment, herd management, and some yield indicators in Northern Cyprus dairy goat farms. Out of 324 intensive milk goat farms which produce goats, only the 42 goat farms which had 7950 heads were chosen by random sampling in Northern Cyprus (2016), and face-to-face questionnaires and observations were conducted to collect data. Regarding the breeding techniques in these farms, of all the goats in these farms, 45.2% were cross-breed, 38.1% were Damascus, 11.9% were Saanen, and 4.8% were hair goats. The average of the total number of animals was 211.38 ± 209 heads. The average number of pens and the number of animals per pen in the farms, which had 2 to 5 pens, were 67 ± 49.5 heads. The barn types of these farms were observed to be semi-open and nearly open (95%). 45.5% of the farms made a single milking in a day. The most significant reason for this was that the suckling of the kids lasted 3months or more in 73.8% of the farms. Natural random mating was applied to 69% of the farms. The 45.2% of the farms applied additional feeding before the mating season. The rate of multiple births was 24.76%. The mortality rate in kids was greater than 10% in the 57% of farms examined. The 75% of kids had diarrhea, 33% had umbilicus infections, and 33% suffered from respiratory problems. Among the adult goats of the surveyed farms, the most important problem was external parasites (100%). The second and third problems were overgrown claws (80.9%) and common abscesses (80.95%). Regarding the biosecurity indicators, the general disinfection percentage of farms was 78.57%. However, veterinarian controls were conducted only in the 26.9% of the farms on a regular basis. In these farms, there was no significant difference between the breeds regarding their breeding and reproduction techniques or health indicators. The entrance of the farms carries a high risk for biosecurity. Heat stress is quite important factor for the milk quality.

ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY OF INTENSIVE AND SEMI-INTENSIVE GOAT FARMING SYSTEMS IN DUYENHAI DISTRICT, TRAVINH PROVINCE

This research is conducted to assess the economic efficiency of two farming operations of goats called intensive and semi-intensive in Duyen Hai District, TraVinh Province, thereby finding out the drawbacks of each system and potential solutions towards the sustainability of goat farming in the area. An in-depth interview method was applied (KIP) to inteview two different groups of participants. The first group was leaders of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of TraVinh Province and the second group consisted of 120 household farmers in four communes of Duyen Hai District. Beside, multivariate regression model is also applied in this study. The findings show that both systems offer a great deal of productivity (VND 113.27mil/year/household for semi-intensive farming system and VND 136.11 mil/year/household for intensive farming system). However, in response to climate change, the intensive goat farming operation brings higher level of profits and has a lower environmental impact, especially goat manure is beneficial for crops.

Dairy goat usage of flooring types varied by material, slope and slat width

Barn flooring and bedding management are two critical issues in intensive dairy goat facilities. This study aimed at identifying the most appropriate seasonal floorings through observation of the behavioral characteristics of dairy goats. Four different trials were carried out in two different seasons (summer and winter). Wooden and rubber floorings were compared in the 1st trial; solid wood and slatted wooden floorings in the 2nd trial; 5% and 10% sloped floors in the 3rd trial, and 5-cm and 10-cm wide wooden slats were compared in the 4th trial. A total of 20 polled Turkish Saanen goats at 3-years of age were used in the experiments. During the temperature and relative humidity measurements taken in the morning hours, the floors were also scored for dirtiness. The floor dirtiness scores did not vary significantly by season or by season x type of flooring (P > 0.05). While there were no significant differences in the dirtiness scores of the flooring in the 1st and 3rd trials, the slatted floors of the 2nd and 4th trials had relatively lower dirtiness scores than the other floorings (P ≤ 0.05). Goats spent the majority of their time lying (74.88%) and were observed to favor reclining onto pen fences while lying. The lying behavior did not vary significantly regarding season in any trials (P > 0.05). However, the lying behavior of the goats significantly varied according to floor type in all trials (P ≤ 0.0396). Goats lay mostly over straw bedding in all trials, followed by rubber material, solid surface and 5% slope, which had rates close to that of straw bedding (P ≥ 0.05). In trial 4, goats demonstrated significantly lower lying behavior over both types of slats (5 cm and 10 cm) than straw bedding (P ≤ 0.05). Goats lay significantly more over the rubber floor compared to the wooden floor, more over the solid floor than the slatted floor, and more over the 10 cm slats than 5 cm slats. Goats demonstrated standing behavior more over the slatted floors (trials 2 and 4) (P ≤ 0.05). In this study, straw bedding was primarily chosen by dairy goats. Following straw bedding, goats largely opted for rubber flooring and solid wooden flooring and they showed no liking for slatted floors.

The nutritional quality of feedstuffs used in dairy goat nutrition in Vojvodina

The study was to conduct to evaluate the chemical composition and nutritive values of feedstuffs (forages and concentrate mixtures) used for dairy goats nutrition in Vojvodina. Samples were collected from six farms, including one organic farm. The results showed that the relative feed values of analyzed forages were in the range of good, medium to lower quality. Average protein content from lowest to highest for investigated forages was: corn silage (Zea Mays) (65.37-82.57g kg??DM), alfalfa haylage (Medicago sativa L.) (159.99-184.17g kg??DM), pasture (185.30g kg?? DM), and alfalfa hay (Medicago sativa L.) (167.48-203.60g kg??DM). The non-fibre carbohydrates and protein content most varied in organic hay samples (cv: 29.25% and 19.09%, respectively). Generally, feedstuffs used in organic nutrition, including organic concentrate, were of lower nutritional quality and moreover contained higher amounts of crude fibre and lignin. Especially, a high source of variation was observed in investigated concentrate mixtures for the crude protein content (p<0.0001), ranged from 135.32 to 209.87g kg??DM. Corn silages also varied substantially in their chemical composition and significant difference (p<0.05) was observed in regard to acid detergent fibre (ADF) and lignin content (ranged: ADF: 242.20-319.24g kg??DM; ADL: 27.98-52.54g kg??DM, respectively). Furthermore, pasture contained the most soluble materials during May and June and their content was related inversely to crude fibre amount. This survey highlights that investigated farms still pay insufficient attention to the quality of the feedstuff. For the development of intensive goat farming, greater emphasis should be placed on using higher quality feedstuffs, as well, standards for feed quality must be considered and established.