Breeding Strategy smallholder

[mikey]

On factor that limits the smallholder from improving his/her herd is resources to buy a purebred sire (male),if possible for the smallholder to find and breed the purebred to his/her very best doe(s).Stud fees are cheaper than buying and caring for the live animal(s).Another problem with the smallholder is they tend to practise unproductive methods,true quality high production stock require more care and better quality feeds over the native stock,but quality stock speaks for itself,much improved production over the native.Line breeeding and backcross breeding can build up a herd and also destroy a herd.Backcross breeding is breeding a Son to his Mother or breeding a Daughter to her Father,you breed the best to the best,linebreeding is breeding animals that are related by ancestory,Daughter to her Grandfather,Son to his Grandmother.There is a limit as to how far one can go,remember if carried too far,this can become Inbreeding which is not what a producer wants,this will cause alot of problems down the road with health issues,stunted growth etc.This is only an option for those smallholders on a limited budget,this can help to improve a herd,but if careless,can destroy a herd.It is advised to replace your breeding buck every 3 years to prevent in-breeding.
When 2 animals carrying recessive genes for a deleterious trait are bred,there is an increased chance for that trait to appear in some of the offspring.It happens,if the line is free of harmful recessives,then in-breeding will do no harm.The big question is how do you know?You do not until problems start showing up.Always breed your very best,to the very best.Shortcuts lead to major problems down the road.Good record keeping is valuable information at ones finger tips.

[mikey]

smallholders should keep in mind,there are more native goats bred and eaten in the Philippines than there are of the expensive breeds.There is nothing wrong with a producer wishing to breed and market native goats,with the farm gate prices around 70 pesos per kg. the small producer may be better off with the natives,espically if he/she can feed them on native grasses.The natives have good lean muscle mass,what the consumer(s) want in goat meat.This is a good way to start goat meat farming,start small and build up your herd.,later on you may wish to purchase a better breeding sire.Do not fall into the trap that one needs expensive goats to start goat farming,this is a myth,the most important is to breed and produce good quality lean muscle animals for the market place,healthy animals with shinny coats.Some native producers get more than the 70 pesos per kg. if the animals are of good quality.Start small and have big dreams.Good Luck