Pinoyagribusiness

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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.

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The LaMancha goat originated in Oregon by Mrs. Eula Frey from short-eared goats of a type found not only in LaMancha, but throughout spain. It has excellent dairy temperament and is an all-around sturdy animal that can withstand a great deal of hardship and still produce. Through official testing this breed has established itself in milk production with high butterfat.

The LaMancha face is straight with the ears being the distinctive breed characteristic. There are two types of LaMancha ears. In does one type of ear has no advantage over the other.

   1. The "gopher ear" is described as follows: an approximate maximum length of one inch but preferably non-existent and with very little or no cartilage. The end of the ear must be turned up or down. This is the only type of ear which will make buck eligible for registration.

   2. The "elf ear" is described as follows: an approximate maximum length of two inches is allowed, the end of the ear must be turned up or turned down and cartilage shaping the small ear is allowed.


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The Boer is an improved indigenous breed with some infusion of European, Angora and Indian goat breeding many years ago. Several researchers agree that the indigenous populations were probably from the Namaqua Hottentots and from southward migrating Bantu tribes. The name is derived from the Dutch word "boer" meaning farmer and was probably used to distinguish the native goats from the Angora goats which were imported into South Africa during the 19th century. The present day Boer goat appeared in the early 1900's when ranchers in the Easter Cape Province started selecting for a meat type goat.

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The Saanen dairy goat originated in Switzerland, in the Saanen Valley. Saanen does are heavy milk producers and usually yield 3-4 percent milk fat. It is medium to large in size (weighing approximately 145 lbs/65kg) with rugged bone and plenty of vigor.

Does should be feminine, and not coarse. Saanens are white or light cream in color, with white preferred. Spots on the skin are not discriminated against. Small spots of color on the hair are allowable, but not desirable. The hair should be short and fine, although a fringe over the spine and thighs is often present. Ears should be erect and alertly carried, preferably pointing forward. The face should be straight or dished. A tendency toward a roman nose is discriminated against.

taken from:ansi.okstate

Doc, also limited numbers of Kiko (meat breed) and Jam un apari (dairy/meat) in the Philippines.

hi mr.nemo. im new in goat raising and im willing to learn more about it. im just want to know how much is a good buck and a good doe? and where i can get a good breed of goat for me to start.. im from los baños laguna.. i want to learn from you.. im hoping that you can help me.. please mr.nemo.. after you read my message can you send me some information about it and the answer to my question to my e-mail address.. benedict_deuna@yahoo.com    i will appreciate it.. thank you very much.. god bless..

Gud day,

You may pm alaminosgoat about price of buck and doe.  He do sell quality goat.

And if you want to know more about goat please pm Mr. mikey he is very passionate about goat raising.

thank you

doc did the goat choose their grass to eat?

If given  a choice they will choose.

Every goat have their own preference of grass.

Here are some grasses that could be feed to goats.

Napier grass
Para grass
centrosema.
guinea grass

yung native natin anong breed? ska yung mabalahibo, malaki na parang mountain goat ano breed yun, maganda rin kaya yun? me nagbebenta kse sa kin ng ganun.

Native natin? native lang ang alam ko na tawag eh.

Yun malalaki possible mix na po yun.  Ang alam ko boer medyo mabalahibo/ maganda buhok.  And adaptive din kasi minsan ang balahibo ng hayop kapag napunta sa medyo malalamig na lugar mas humahaba kapag sa maiinit na lugar naman na punta umiiksi.

(http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/goats/cashmere/billy.jpg)

ganito po yung itsura nung binebenta sa kin. nkita ko sa net yung picture.  ok din po ba yung ganitong breed sa climate ng pinas?

AMERICAN CASHMERE

Cashmere the fiber of kings, produced from the lowly Cashmere goat. This fiber is so luxurious that the Arc of the Covenant of the old testament was lined and curtained with it. Sixty percent of the worlds supply of cashmere is produced in China and the remainder from Turkey, Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Kashmere, Australia and New Zealand. It is a new industry for the United States. The first Cashmere goats were imported from Australia and New Zealand in the late 1980's. Since then several Cashmere breeders and growers have been producing breeding stock to launch this new industry in the US.

Cashmere goats are easy to raise. They are healthy animals and take only minimal care. They are not jumpers like many other goat breeds and standard woven wire sheep fencing will contain them. Minimal shelter is all that is required to house them due to the insulative properties of their dual coats, which is shed for the summer.

They are sheared once a year and a full grown adult buck will yield as much as 2.5 pounds of fleece. The fleece consists of two kinds of fiber, cashmere and guard hair. Average cashmere percentages are in the 20% range. The fleece can be sold to wholesale buyers or it can be dehaired and sold at retail prices to hand spinners.

Kung galing pa siya sa ibang bansa medyo problem sa acclimatization yan.  So, you need to put it in a place na medyo hindi maiinit or medyo mataas ang altitude. 

kung malamig sa province you then medyo mastataas ang chance na makaadapt siya agad.  Mag lalagas nga lang siya ng hair to compensate to the weather.

mukang ok naman sa climate natin dahil 3 mos na daw nya alaga at kinuha din lang nya other province.


aling breed ang mabilis lumaki at ok ang karne?  ???

In terms of mature weight boer, anglo-nubian , alpine and toggenburg. THis could range from 60-100 kg

wow! para na ring pigs ang timbang. pero ilang months bago maabot yung ganun? let's say 75kg.

Adult age nila is 8 months so around that age up.

thanks doc

To be safe sabihin mo na lang na a year. to attain a 60-100 kgs.  Breed specific and nutritional factor is to be considered pa rin.

check your mail

Doc.nemo. Pahingi po ng fes.study about goiat raising. thanks po.balak ko po kasing mag tayo.ang gagamitin ko po na area ay 2.5 hectars. bali po kasi dati na po akong
nag aalaga nito. pero 12 yrs ago na po yun at nakalimutan ko po ung mga mejo mga topic na crucial sa pag-aalaga. dati kai 12 lang ang alaga ko at di namin yun pinapalaki na pang farm, yun p[o bang naisipan lang namin ng tatay ko at nag-alaga lang po. eh ngayon po balak po namin mag tayo na as in farm na talaga. goat farm po. salamat po. nabasa ko po sa forum yung obang mga details about goat raising, pero baka po pwedeng makakuha ng fesibility study. salamat po ulit. ;D

greetings!

Calamity i don't have any cost and return but you could try to read the post by Mikey here is the link.

http://pinoyagribusiness.com/forum/cattle_carabao_goat_sheep/roi_for_goats-t317.0.html;msg1626;topicseen#new (http://pinoyagribusiness.com/forum/cattle_carabao_goat_sheep/roi_for_goats-t317.0.html;msg1626;topicseen#new)

Thank you.

Doc Nemo. Sa bago pa lang mag-aalaga ng goat, ano po bang lahi ang dapat munag alagaan? balak ko pong inahin na goat ang alagaan ko.

Start with the native much cheaper kasi ito kung para sa mga high breed. Try to learn from this group the in and outs of the goat raising.

Then saka sila bumili ng mga breeders.

You could choose from Anglo, boer, and toggen for breeders.

DOC NEMO
SIR PEDE DIN PO BA MAKAHINGI NG PARAAN AT KUNG ANONG GAMOT ANG KELANGAN IBIGAY SA MGA ALAGANG KAMBING SAKA KUNG PDE PO MAKAHINGI NA DIN NG PROCEDURES FOR CONFINEMENT

PHILBERT

Greetings!

I have email you an article taken from the net.

Sorry for the delay

Dadiangas Goat:
this is common in Dadiangas (now known as General Santos City),South Cotabato.It is a mixture of native,nubian,jamnapari goats and some may have some alpine or saanen blood.It varies in color.Its milk production and butterfat content are a little higher than the native goats.This breed thrives best in the drier areas of the country.
Anyone crossbreeding this goat with a A-N or Boer.I would like to know the results of the crossbreeding.
mikey

Just like cows, goat is valued mainly for its meat and milk. "As a milk producer, the goat is inevitably more efficient where the available fodder is of such low quality that a cow can barely live," wrote MacKenzie in his book.

"Indeed, I find among the writers, that the milk of the goat is next in estimation to a woman; for it helpeth the stomach, removeth oppilations and stoppings of the liver and looseth the belly," wrote William Harrison echoing the opinion of 2,000 years of medical writing. Hippocrates commended the virtues of goats' milk, and, according to Homer, some of the gods and goddesses themselves were reared on it.

There is probably no other animal -- except dog -- that has a greater variety of range than the goat. "It is met with in most parts of the world, and appears as much at home in the cold regions of Norway and Sweden as in the hot countries of Asia and Africa," notes H.S. Holmes Pegler in 'The Book of the Goat.'

At least 12 goat species known to animal scientists but only a few breeds are tended for their economic and commercial values. Below are the most common breeds:

Anglo-Nubian

The name Nubian came from Nubia, a desert section of the Northern Sudan. Its average weight is about 65 kilograms. Some are born with horns while others are hornless. It has long drooping ears, distinct Roman nose and prominent forehead. Its coats color may black, tan and white, or red and white; but it may be any these colors without markings.

This is a dual-purpose breed with its prime value as a heavy meat producer. Nubian goats produce an average of two liters of milk daily. The butterfat content of there is about 5.6 percent.

Angora

This breed originates from the ancient Angora region in Central Anatolia province of Turkey, now known as Ankara. Angoras offer the raisers a highly viable diversification away from traditional crop cultivation and farm produce that invariably are in surplus.

Angoras are primarily raised for their fleece and secondarily for their meat while their milk yield is considered "fair." They are browers, meaning they nibble at leaves and grasses rather than graze where the animals crop the grass or forage. Angoras as shorn twice a year of their fleece and they need not to be dipped after shearing unlike sheep.

Saanen

This breed originated in the Saane valley of the famous Swiss Alps. It has been exported to many countries of the world and is considered one of the most widely distributed of the improved breeds. It weight about 65 kilograms at maturity. Some are hornless although horned but disbudded ones are preferred. It has a straight nose and erect ears. It colors is either pure or creamy white.

The average milk production of Saanen is three liters, with butterfat content about 4.3 percent. Although it is nicknamed the "Queen of Dairy," this breed performs poorly in Asia, including the Philippines.

Toggenburg

Also from the Swiss Alps, the name originated from Obertoggenburg. This breed weighs about 52 kilograms at maturity. It is hornless with dished nose and erect ears. The color is chocolate brown with two white stripes on the face and white on the legs below the knees.

Toggenburg has an average milk production of three liters daily, with butterfat content of 3.8 percent.

French Alpine

This breed is found throughout the goat producing districts of France particularly in the Pays de Loire. It weighs about 56 kilograms at maturity. Some have horns and others are hornless. It has erect ears and straight nose. It has multicolored coat with no standard markings.

In the Philippines, its adaptability to local conditions ranks second to Nubian. Its daily milk production is three liters, with about 4.5 percent butterfat.

Philippine or common goat

Small but hardy, this goat weighs 25 kilograms at maturity. Its average daily milk production is only about 350 grams, with a butterfat content of about 4.6 percent. Its coat color is either red or black or a combination of these colors. This type of goats is found throughout Asia.

Dadiangas goat

This is common in Dadiangas (now known as General Santos City), South Cotabato. It is mixture of native, Nubian and Jamnapari goats and some may have some Alpine or Saanen blood. It varies in color. Its milk production and butterfat content are a little higher than the native goats. This breed thrives best in the drier areas of the country.

Boer goat

This breed originated in South Africa where the word "boer" means "farm." The Boer has been a registered breed in South Africa for fifty years and is raised strictly for its meat. The Boer goat can be easily recognized by its beautiful full white body, Roman nose, pendulous ears, and reddish brown or light to dark brown head.

If you cannot secure purebred stock, you can start with the best female goats available in you area. Mate them with purebred or upgraded stock. Then, select only their offspring and discard the undesirable ones (you can either sell them or butcher them for meat). Continue this procedure each year, and you will have desirable goat stocks.


For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Manila.

For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here.

sir,in terms of goat breeding why do we use upgrade or upgraded is this a cross breeding,right?

Doods,goats are bred with the natives to improve milk and meat qualities.The native in general has better disease resistance,when upgraded or crossbred,one is looking for offspring that will have better qualities.One can breed for milk or meat or both.I will say,once you have bred up to a F3,there is very little native left in the blood lines.Plus its a cost factor.One good breeding buck can service a fair number of doe goats.
Region 7:
Support The Goat:

hi doc,
     advisable po ba ang magbreed na parehas ang lahi o magkalahi?ibig ko pong sabihin yung nanay(doe)eh lahian sya ng anak o yung anak na babae lahian ng tatay(buck)na kambing,hndi ko lang po alm kung anung proseso ang tawag dito but this is the only way i can explain this?thank you...           

It is not adviseable. It is called in-breeding. The problem with this is that you could experience some genetic defect on the offsprings, weak kids, etc.

hi sir..good day to you...sir is there any possibility a doe will get pregnant if we force them to mate even if they are not in heat?is there any bad effect to kid?

it will not get pregnant because there will be no ovum in the reproductive tract of the animal. the heat of the animal is a sign that a ova will be released. So, its a way the animal is saying you need to breed her.

Injuries would result from force mating. Sprain, wounds etc..

thank you doc...

 HARDINESS
Kalahari Reds are ideally suited to the harsh and outstretched conditions of large parts of South Africa (SA). In SA they are bred in harsh conditions, arid and semi-desert areas. To prevail under these conditions, animals must be sun-resistant and hardy. Over the years, a natural selection process has ensured that only the fittest animals have survived and very little artificial selection took place.
Kalahari Red's are a distinct and separate breed of Goat (as verified by DNA testing for SA Stud Book). They are not related to the Boer Goat (don't believe anyone that tells you so) and have additional advantages to the original boer goat breed - they can enhance the tenderness of the meat, the hardiness of the animal and the camouflage and hence the survival of their kids. 
 
Their excellent mobility allows them to walk far in search of food and water. They feed on a vast variety of plants and are resistant to disease and parasites. Kalahari Reds are less susceptible to diseases and need to be inoculated and dosed far less than other breeds, which makes them easy to care for and less labour intensive. The limited use of vaccines makes the production of organically produced meat possible. A further bonus is lean meat with an excellent taste and texture.
 
 
MOTHER ABILITIES
Doe's have excellent mothering instincts and kid right in the field and raise their kids there. No labourers are needed to assist does to find their young. In SA selection is made strongly in favour of these attributes because kids that are properly cared for by their mothers will do likewise for their own progeny. Through natural selection processes, only the fittest mothers have survived. The does are fertile and produce plenty of milk and, as a result, the kids grow fast. Breeders select for twins that are usually of equal strength.   
To prevent kid mortalities as a result of an inability to suck, breeders select specifically for well-developed and properly attached teats. Generally, newborn kids are strong and have a strong urge to suck. They herd well and animals flock together. They breed all year round and will kid three times every two years.
COLOUR
Kalahari Reds can be used to give indigenous goats a uniform, solid red colour, with all the unique advantages that this brings. Their earthy colour provides a good camouflage that protects them from predators. White kids would be seen easily by foxes, pigs and eagles. They are fully pigmented and, therefore, able to endure heat and strong sunshine. Their dark coats and long ears provide good heat resistance and will, therefore, feed for longer during the heat of the day, which ultimately means higher weight gains.

SIZE
The commercial goat farmer can cross-breed Kalahari Reds to improve the carcass mass of indigenous goats. This means more meat per hectare.

They are tall and long, which gives them excellent mobility. As they are taller than most other goats they can take advantage of more feed. Their carcass size is similar to the SA Boer goat. The average weight of a buck is as much as 115kg, while does reach 75kg. Kids grow fast. In Australia, young kids show weight gains of 1.5kg per week, with some even exceeding 400g per day.

 I have spoken to a boer breeder in Canada,tells me that the red boer is a kalahari red,plain and simple.If one bred 2 reds together,only a small percentage of kids are born red.He tells me that the red comes from the painted or traditional boers.Some say this and some say that,who really knows what the truth is here.I know one thing tho.Kalahari reds are registered under a boer title,makes me think,why are they not registered under their own title, Kalahari Red.Who knows?Even in N.America,the reds are worth more than the painted.
 
 

Kalahari Reds
Hardiness and disease/tick resistance
Mothering and milking abilities
Colour, shape and size
Good meat flavour & good yield
Most Tender Goat Meat available.
Excellent natural weed control
Fence trained & call to feed.
We have found that Kalahari Red Goats generally are a hardier animal than the Boer or Boer cross animals. Many of the Boer cross animals we've had on the property have been used to being pampered and being hand fed and tend to loose weight and are ill thrift when just grazing on pasture.

Our Kalahari cross animals on the other hand thrive on rough weed country with little or no supplements. Given the rainfall in our area we have a strategic worm control program and also vaccination program for our breeding stock.

We have also found that due to our high rainfall that Pure Nubian goats also have difficulty surviving due to a lower worm resistance. We have however crossed our Kalahari Red Goats with Nubians to increase length and height plus infused excellent colouring/patterned coats for camouflage and also improved milking.

Pricing and Breeding:
Our Kalahari Red Goats are sold based on % of Kalahari breeding. That is an Nubian Goat crossed with a Full Blood Kalahari (KR) Buck would result in a Grade 1 (or 50%) Kalahari kid, and so forth. The grading up table looks as follows:

Grade 1 Kid - 50% KR (Females Stud register able)

= Foundation Goat + KR Buck

 

Grade 2 Kid  - 75% KR (Females Stud Register able)

= Grade 1 Doe + KR Buck

 

Grade 3 Kid - 87.5% KR (Females Stud Register able)

= Grade 2 Doe + KR Buck

 

Grade 4 Kid - 93.75% KR (Females PB Stud Register able)

= Grade 3 Doe + KR Buck

 

Pure breed Kid - 96.88% KR (All Stud Register able)

Grade 4 Doe+ KR Buck

 

We also have Full Blood animals that are not graded up, ie. 100% traceable Kalahari Red heritage. We only used Full Blood Kalahari Red Bucks in our grading program and also quality foundation animals from Nubian and Boer goats.

As a guide: Wether are sold by the Kg approx $2.85 per kg live weight. We can arrange butchering and delivery which equates to approx. $5.50 per kg dressed weight + delivery fee.

As a starting point Grade 1 Breeding Does (registered) & Bucks range from approx $220ea+

All our prices are plus GST and include registration with South African Stud Book, service papers (where applicable) and registration document. Delivery and Transport insurance can also be arranged. (Kalahari Red animals are also able to be registered as stud animals with the Australian Boer Goat Breeders Association).

 

   
 
           
       
   Living Up to and Exceeding  -  its Heritage 
     
 The kiko meat goat breed stands apart from all other meat goat breeds in the world. It is the ONLY meat goat breed in the world developed solely for the economical production of goat meat with minimal intervention on native forage. While other breeds have been created and bred based on specific phenotypes (looks) the Kiko breed's focus is based on the function or performance of the animal. 
     
  The Past ...   
     
    The Kiko meat goat breed was introduced to the World at the 4th International Congress on Goats (Brazilia, Brazil) in 1987. The Kiko was developed in New Zealand as a performance meat goat breed. The New Zealand kiko breed developers wanted a goat that could produce with minimal intervention and inputs for commercial goat meat production. The kiko was developed using a breeding program referred to as "population genetics with an open nucleus".

The population or foundation herd was New Zealand's feral goats stringently selected for production/performance on native forage with no intervention or inputs. The open nucleus allowed for the incorporation of large framed dairy males to increase both frame size and amount of milk. The result was a larger framed meat goat that could produce on forage with no intervention or inputs. The BEST and first production meat goat breed on the planet! 
 
       
                             
      The Present ...               
     
The kiko was imported into the US in the early 90's but did not catch wide acclaim until after the year 2000. During this time the Kiko was placed into forage based buck performance tests and independent university research projects and the results clearly indicated the unique "Kiko Advantage" of function over form with the ability to produce with minimal intervention and inputs on native vegetation. Production above all else! Meat goat research at Tennessee State University has consistently shown the unique performance advantages of the kiko over other breeds.
 
     
 
  MGR was instrumental in gathering up  the first fullblood kiko does to be placed in research at TSU - 2001 
   
 
     
Today many Kiko breeders still practice the New Zealand breed standard of "population genetics with an open nucleus" thus allowing them to breed both the original import bloodlines and the American bred up bloodlines in their continual development of a true production meat goat breed. A breed that becomes static is a dying breed.
   
                             
    The future of the kiko breed is unlimited. A performance breed, with the focus on the function of the animal rather the "look" of the animal, has unlimited potential as long as the breeders are breeding based on performance. Not numbers, or looks, or pedigree, or names, but PERFORMANCE. 
         
       
 The Kiko Pedigree Associate Breeders ~ Breeding the Contemporary Breed of the Future 
   
Each breeder can use their unique herd as their foundation genetics and incorporate an open nucleus to allow them to continually create a better kiko meat goat breed - “the best production meat goat breed on the planet.” The Kiko Pedigree™ provides breeders with a registry that allows for documentation of individual animal performance and encourages breeders to both collect on farm data and participate in off farm independent performance testing.

The Kiko Pedigree ™ was the first kiko registry to incorporate the Performance Ratio into the registration certificate. This tool allows breeders a method to document and rate the individual goat's performance in their herd. It is by knowing which genetics are above average that we can select for the superior kikos of tomorrow. The Kiko Pedigree ™ is also the first kiko registry which mandates that "NO" animal will be registered before its six- month birth day. This encourages breeders to collect the weight data and also to look at the actual overall performance of the animal (growth, hardiness, thriftiness). Not just the ability to survive but to thrive. We believe that the kiko meat goat breed is the key to advancing the meat goat industry and that the breed itself will continue to move forward with breeders who place a high priority on continually breeding those kiko goats that meet or exceed the criteria used when the breed was established.

Today's kiko breeders are creating the kiko meat goat breed of tomorrow. Building on the breeds foundation of function over form, breeders must also ever select for increased carcass cutability on native vegetation. The Kiko Pedigree Associate Breeders recognize the importance of each breeding and management decision and how it can affect the future performance of the breed. The breeders of the best production meat goat breed on the planet......and beyond! We welcome all those interested in raising kiko goats and advancing the kiko breed.
         
                             
    Copyright© 2005 Ruble C. Conatser, Jr.   
   
                   
                             
     
 

 Breed Standards of the Boer Goat 
 The following are the breed standards as drawn up and accepted by the Boer Breeders Association of South Africa. The aim of the breeding standards are to improve the race and to increase the economy value.
 Conformation
 HEAD: A strong head with large soft brown eyes and without an untamed look. A strong slightly curved nose, wide nostrils, strong well-formed mouth with will-fitted jaws. Up to two tooth must show a 100% fit. Four tooth olds and older may show 6 mm protrusion. Permanent teeth must cut in the correct anatomical place. The forehead must be prominently curved linking up with the curve of the nose and horns. Horns should be strong, of moderate length and placed moderately apart with a gradual backward curve. Horns have to be as round and solid as possible and coloured darkly. Ears are to be broad, smooth and of medium length hanging downwards from the head. Too short ears are undesirable.

Characteristic cull defects: Concave forehead, horns too straight or too flat, pointed jaw, ears folded (lengthwise), stiff protruding ears, too short ears, too long lower jaws, short bottom jaw and blue eyes.
 
 NECK AND FOREQUARTERS: A neck of moderate length in proportion to the length of the body, full and well fleshed and well-joined with the forequarter is essential. The breastbone should be broad with a deep and broad brisket. The shoulder should be fleshy, in proportion to the body and be well-fitted to the withers. The withers should be as broad and as well-filled as possible (not sharp). The front legs should be of medium length and in proportion to the depth of the body. The legs should be strong and well placed, with strong pastern joints and well-formed hoofs which are as dark as possible.

Characteristic cull defects: Too long, thin neck, too short neck, shoulders too loose.
 
 BARREL: The ideal is a long, deep broad barrel. The ribs must be well sprung and fleshed, and the loins as well fitted as possible. The goat should have a broad, fairly straight back and must not be pinched behind the shoulders.

Characteristic cull defects: Back too concave, too slab sided, too cylindrical or pinched behind the shoulder.
 
 HINDQUARTERS: The Boer Goat should have a broad and long rump, not sloping too much, well fleshed buttocks which are not too flat, and have fully fleshed thighs. The tail must be straight where it grows out of the dock and then swing to either side.

Characteristic cull defects: A rump that hangs too much or is too short. A too long shank or flat buttocks.
 
 LEGS: Emphasis should be placed on the legs which should be strong (of good texture) and well placed. Too fleshy legs are undesirable. Strong legs imply hardiness and a strong constitution, which are absolutely essential characteristics of the Boer Goat.

Characteristic cull defects: Knock knees, bandy legs, "koeisekel of regophak." Legs too thin or too fleshy. Weak pasterns and hoofs pointing outwards or inwards.
 
 SKIN AND COVERINGS: A loose supple skin with sufficient chest and neck folds, especially in the case of rams, is essential. Eyelids and hairless parts must be pigmented. The hairless skin under the tail should have 75% pigmentation for stud purposes with 100% pigmentation the ideal. Short, glossy hair is desireable. A limited amount of fur will be tolerated during winter months.

Characteristic cull defects: Covering too long and coarse or too furry.
 
 SEXUAL ORGANS: Ewes: Well-formed udder firmly attached with no more than two functional teats on a side. Permissible defects: a) If there is no indication that the teat is separating, but there are two milk openings, this is acceptable. b) Double teats: the front 50% should be split. Rams: Two reasonably large, well formed, healthy and equal sized testes in one scrotum. A scrotum with no larger spit than 5 cm is permissible. The scrotum must be at least 25 cm in circumference.

Characteristic cull defects: Bunched, calabash or double teats. Too small testes; a scrotum with more than a 5 cm split.
 
 QUALITY: This is achieved with short glossy hair and a fine lustre.
 SIZE: The ideal is an average sized, heavy goat with maximum meat production. A desireable relationship between length of leg and depth of body should be achieved at all ages. Lambs should tend to be longer in the leg.

Characteristic cull defects: Goats too large or too small (pony).
 
 COLOURING: The ideal is a white goat with a red head and ears, and fully pigmented. The blaze must be evident. Shadings between light red and dark red are permissible. The minimum requirement for a stud animal is a patch of at least 10 cm in diameter on both sides of the head, ears excluded. Both ears should have at least 75% red colouring and the same percentage pigmentation.

The following is permissible for stud purposes:

HEAD, NECK AND FORE-QUARTERS: A total red colouring is permissible not further than the shoulder blade and on the shoulder it must exist not lower than level with the chest junction.

BARREL, HINDQUARTER AND BELLY: Only one patch not exceeding 10 cm in diameter is permissible.

LEGS: The term "legs" is taken to mean that portion below an imaginary line formed by the chest and the underline. Patches with maximum of 5 cm in diameter are permissible.

TAIL: The tail must be red, but the red colour may not continue onto the body for more than 2.5 cm.

RED HAIR AND COVERING: Very few red hairs are permissible at the 2-tooth stage.

PIGMENTATION: Discriminate against too light pigmentation.

FLOCK GOAT: A flock goat is a Boer goat which does not comply with the stud standards, but has no cull faults. At least 50% of the colour must be white; the other 50% must be red. Under the tail the flock goat must be at least 25% pigmented Rams may not be more than 25% red.
 
 EXPLANATION OF BREED STANDARDS: In applying standards, there are many aspects which cannot be fully defined. In such cases the inspector or judge must use his discretion. In spite of the breed standards being clear and to the point, it is nevertheless necessary to supply additional information in respect of certain descriptions. The major part of the body of the goat must be white to make it conspicuous and to facilitate the rounding up of goats in dense terrain. A pigmented skin on the hairless parts, e.g. under the tail, round the eyelids and mouth, etc., is absolutely essential, because it offers resistance to sunburn which may result in cancer. A pigmented skin is also more resistant to skin disease. A loose, supple skin is essential for adaptability to climatic conditions. In South Africa, which is a warm and sunny country, an animal with a loose skin and short hair is better adapted. In addition a skin of this kind provides additional resistance to external parasites.
 GENERAL APPEARANCE AND TYPE: In appearance it is a goat with a fine head, round horns bent backwards, a loose, supple and pleated skin (especially in rams) with different body parts well fleshed and in perfect balance. The ewe must be feminine, wedging slightly to the front, which is a sign of fertility. The ram, nevertheless, appears heavier in the head, neck and forequarters. The upgraded boer goat is an animal with symmetry, with a strong, vigorous appearance and enough quality. In the ewe there is strong emphasis on femininity; in the ram one of masculinity.
 FERTILITY: a) Shows: An ewe must have lambed at 6 tooth age already or must visibly be with young or she will be culled. b) Auctions: 6 tooth or older ewes must visibly be with young or be certified in writing as pregnant by a veterinary surgeon or the ewe will be culled. Certificate to be handed in during inspection.

sir i am jopar from tarlac. i have started goat raising a few years back on a 3 hectare land. all i have are native goats. i have around 40 doe breeders (inahin). i am now in the stage to upgrade my goats. what is the best breed to cross my native herd?
i have recently acquired a 16 month old boer buck. almost purebreed.
i also have 3 saanen bucks about 10 months.
and a anglo nubian buck around 3 years old.
all these "imported" goats were adopted to me by priest friend who was recently stationed to iloilo. he cannot bring his goats to him in his new place.
i am also interested to purchase a kalahari red. where can i buy one and for how much?
can you pls give me the specs or preferebly give pics on goat cages. i will soon build cages for my goats.
thank u very much
JOPAR

check your mail.

You could also pm Mikey about goats.

Hi,good for you,you are lucky to have a good selection of breeding bucks to choose from.You have one meat breed and 4 dairy breeds.Your herd of does is 40,well you must decide which goats to breed to the bucks for upgrading your herd. The idea is to improve ones  herd when crossbreeding.Remember,one must be careful when breeding boers to natives.Myself,I would only choose does that are the biggest and have kidded before.The remaining does would be divided up and bred to the dairy bucks.We personally breed a bor/an to our native does,our boers are breed to boers or f2s.Our anglos are bred to anglos and natives.

The Kalahari Red,I doubt very much if this breed is in the Philippines.There are people in the Philippines calling the RED BOER or also called a ROAN Kalahari Reds but this is not true.The boer is a breed specific,the kalahari breed is its own breed specific.Science has proven this to be the case.The Kalahari Reds are found in Australia and South Africa.No one has imported the Kalahari Red as far as I know of.We,would love to have kalahari reds on our farm,but we are unable to find any in the Visayas,just red boers being called kalahari reds.Another goat we have looked at is the Kiko,believe there are limited numbers in the north of the country,in your general area.These would be expensive goats to buy when first imported,due to low breeding numbers and usually higher demand.The one that could import some breeding stock from Australia,would be sitting in a good position.
Good Luck with your farming venture:
Farmers Feed The World:
Region 7

sir mikey thank you very much for the info. i have started to cross my anglo with my big native does. i hope the kids would be of superior quality.
since my boer has been with me for about 8 months now i was able to cross him with some of my natives. i already have produced 1 male from this cross.
i was able to see the red boer just this weekend. yes you are correct. they said it was a red kalahari but it was was not.
thanks for everything.
jopar

jopar345
You are welcome,good luck with your breeding program.In a few years you will see a big change in your goat herd,better stock equals better prices.Some day there will be some Kalahari Reds in the Philippines or AI will be advanced enough to allow for a better selection of breed sires.
Farmers Feed The World:
Region 7:

hello po,, hingi lng po ng advice.. bgo lng po kc ako ok lng po b n mg start ako s mga native goats?

Sir,

Kasi may mga alaga akong baka sa koral at doon din nakalagay o gumagala yong alaga kong mga kambing lumalayo naman sila sa mga baka dahil minsan hinahabol sila. Okey lang po ba iyon parihas regular naman ang deworming?

Better to make separate housing for your cattle and goat.

they will be prone to injury if they are mixed together like that

Hello Doc Nemo,

Do you have any estimates for a possible Dairy/Meat Goat Farm initial investment capital? Say 1 hectare of land? Is 1 million peso initial startup capital excluding farm land is enough? I need to buy those manuals and dvd/cds relating to goat farming, where can we find this one?

Thanks, hope i can have an idea to start my own business in the future.

what breed would be the best in milk production and is available here in the philippines?

Saanen is the best milker and it is also available in the Philippines.

There have been some dairy goat farms in the USA ,England and Canada that have been breeding a crossbreed called SNUBIAN since 2003 and earlier.Very good results with this breed for a commercial dairy setting.They use a purebred Saanen buck bred to a purebred Anglo doe,the offspring results in a crossbreed called a (snubian).The does from this cross have high production levels like the Saanen and  higher butter fat levels like the Anglo.The does from this cross are bred back to a purebred Saanen making a high percentage (saanen goat).

This is for a commercial dairy operation,all goats end up as meat goats at some point in time.

Let's look at average milk yield and butterfat percentage (how creamy the milk is) for the six breeds of dairy goats popular in the U.S.

BREED
 305 day yield (lb)
 305 day yield (kg)
 fat percentage
 
French Alpine
 1979
 900
 3.5
 
La Mancha
 1771
 850
 3.9
 
Anglo-Nubian
 1618
 735
 4.6
 
Oberhasli
 1663
 756
 3.7
 
Saanen
 1998
 908
 3.5
 
Toggenburg
 1710
 777
 3.3
 


Notice that the total milk yield in this table for a goat milking for 305 days in a row is given in both pounds (lb) and kilograms (kg). In the metric system of measuring, milk is weighed in kilograms not pounds (remember 1 kg of milk = 2.2 lbs of milk). If you are used to thinking of milk in quarts, a quart of milk weighs a about 2.15 lbs or a tiny bit less than 1 kg), so you can use the kg column to figure out roughly how many quarts are produced. The Alpine and Saanen breeds are very comparable for milk yield and fat percentage. The Toggenburg breed average for milk and butterfat percentage is a little lower. The Oberhasli breed average is also lower for milk yield. These breeds were all developed especially for milk production in a very mountainous region of Europe called the Alps. La Manchas also tend to give less milk than Alpines and Saanens. They are a slightly smaller breed of goat that was developed in the U.S. from crossing various types of goats that made their way here from all over Europe. Anglo-Nubians are generally referred to as plain Nubians. They were developed during British colonial times from crosses of British, Middle Eastern, and Indian breeds of goats. Nubians are known for their creamy, high butterfat milk and their tolerance to heat. Because their milk is more concentrated, they tend to give less of it. However, you can have individual Saanens that give less than a individual Nubian and vice versus. Within any breed there is a wide range of milking ability represented.

Each of these six breeds of dairy goats tends to look very different from the others. They each have different breed characteristics or traits that help tell them apart. The French Alpine, Oberhasli, Saanen , and Toggenburg breeds all have straight or slightly dished faces and erect ears. In contrast, the Nubian has long, dangling ears and a "roman" or convex nose. The "La Mancha" has a very noticeable trait. It has such tiny ear flaps that at first glance it may look like it has no ears. Believe me, it has ears! It hears just as well as the other breeds do.

Nubians and La Manchas come in a wide variety of colors and color patterns. However, the Alpine breeds come in distinct colors and color patterns. Saanens are supposed to be white (or light cream) all over. Toggenburgs range in a brown color from light fawn to dark chocolate and have distinct white markings on ears, face stripes, lower legs and edging their tails. Oberhaslis are a light to dark reddish brown with black trim (facial stripes, stripe along their spine from ears to tail, belly, udder and lower legs). This color is similar to a bay horse. French Alpines come in a wide arrange of colors and distinct patterns which are referred to by French names. For example, the bay color of the Oberhasli is referred to as "Chamoisee". French Alpines are not supposed to be Saanen or Toggenburg colored. There are hidden or recessive color genes in each breed so sometimes (very, very rarely) the breeds do not breed true for color. The Breed Standard available from the American Dairy Goat Association gives the details of what is the correct appearance for each breed. These specifics are important if you want to show or register your goat. They do not affect how much milk she will produce.

Paano ko po malalaman na 100% boer/ anglo-nubian?
Salamat po…

How American La Manchas
Came to Be

By Mrs. Eula Fay Frey
Reprinted From Dairy Goat Journal
January, 1960 


This is the story of my first interest in the American La Mancha dairy goats.
Mrs. Eula Fay Frey pictured with some of her does, pictured left to right: Rhonda (8 years old), Darlene (4 years old), and Sharon (1-1/2 years). Back of photo reads: "Sharon (born late 1952) is daughter of Darlene. Darlene (born 5-16-50) is daughter of Rhonda. Rhonda is sired by Scamp. Darlene is sired by Ernie. Sharon is sired by Scoundrel." Scoundrel was Mrs. Frey's primary herd sire for the early 1960s. Photo taken in 1964.
 

I am a great lover of most all animals, especially goats. In 1937 or prior to that time, I subscribed to Dairy Goat Journal and read everything I could find in it regarding the benefits derived from the use of goat milk. My husband, the late Jene S. Frey, was seriously ill from overwork and stomach ulcers and I was trying to get him interested in using goat milk.

In September 1937 we bought Poplar Goat Dairy in Bell, California. Mr. Frey was completely cured of ulcers by going on a strict diet of natural goat milk and tomato juice. He then enjoyed excellent health until he was the victim of a traffic accident in November, 1942.

We bought 130 goats, two of which had very small ears. The small-eared ones were a doe and her son, an early 1937 kid named Tommy. The doe was small and of a roan color. Tommy was a rich golden brown.

We had never seen goats with such small ears and at the time were not very favorably impressed by them. We didn't know what breed name to call them, so just called them "short ears." It was several years later that we learned that the short-eared goats were descendants of a Spanish breed known as La Mancha. LaManchas were brought into the United States from Mexico, the stock first having been imported from Spain to that country.

I wasn't interested in the short ears, but I did take a great interest in two Nubian-French Alpine first fresheners. They were beautiful and I named them Rose and Toy. Rose was tricolored and Toy was black and tan, and quite small.

We agreed to use Tommy (the short-eared buck) on the does that we weren't going to save kids from. Rose was the last doe bred to Tommy. By the time Rose freshened on May 23, 1938, Tommy, his offspring, and also his mother had been destroyed or sold. I milked Tommy's mother just once and was amazed at the amount of milk produced by so small an animal.
Peggy and her buck kid, Rascal.
 

The result of the breeding of Rose to Tommy was a buck that looked like his mother, and one of the most beautiful short-eared doe kids I have ever seen. She was golden brown and curly and had very large eyes. Jene and I both said in the same breath, "Let's keep her." I named her Peggy. She was my pride and joy and I took her most every place that I went while she was a kid. She was very intelligent and I taught her several tricks. Peggy developed into a short-haired, sleek doe. So because of Peggy my interest in the short-eared goats, the La Manchas, developed.

Peggy was bred to Jim, a cross between a Nubian and French Alpine. She produced a short-eared buck, a short-eared doe, and a doe that looked like Jim. We destroyed the buck and kept both doe kids, Pauline the short-eared one, and Paulette the Nubian-French Alpine. Pauline was so badly injured by some other goats when she was near two months old that we had to destroy her.

Paulette was bred to Christopher, a beautiful bright red Nubian-Murciana buck. The result was Redette, a bright red doe, that later became the mother of Gilda, a La Mancha. Gilda's sire was Scamp, a grandson of Peggy. Gilda was one of the most beautiful La Manchas that I have ever owned. She died young from the overproduction of kids and milk.

When Peggy freshened the second time, she had three bucks sired by Jim. We kept one of them and named him Rascal. He and a purebred Toggenburg doe were later the parents of Scamp mentioned above. Peggy was a small doe. After her second freshening I kept an unofficial record of her milk production over quite a period of time. She produced 10 to 12 lbs. of milk per day with 14 lbs. on her high day.

When Peggy freshened the third time she gave birth to three red La Mancha bucks sired by Christopher. I made a great mistake in not keeping at least one of them. It was about 1940 that I purchased a young La Mancha doe from N. S. Goodridge. We called her Nesta and I have quite a few of her descendants in my herd today. Nesta was a wonderful little doe both in looks and milk production
Rose and Toy
The following is typed on the back of the photograph: "The doe on the right is Peggy's mother. She was a Nubian-Alpine. We called her Rose. The other doe is Rose's pal Toy. Toy was the mother of Wretha. Wretha was sired by Peggy's son, Rascal. Rose lived to be 16 years old, then we put her to sleep. Toy also was Nubian-Alpine."
 

Toy was bred to Rascal and produced Wretha, a La Mancha, that later produced Cookie, whose sire was a purebred Nubian. Cookie was bred to a purebred French Alpine and produced Wafer. Wafer was my first cou blane La Mancha. She was bred to Scamp and Polly and Jolly were their daughters. I have quite a number of descendants of Polly and Jolly. We lost Polly before La Manchas were a recognized breed. Fay's Jolly L-2 is one of the American La Mancha foundation herd. After La Manchas were recognized as a breed, they were called American La Manchas.

A great deal of credit is due Thomas Draper for promoting the registration of American La Manchas.

M. A. Maxwell and Ted Johnston helped pick the foundation herd from my La Manchas.1

The AMGRA officials were responsible for setting up the American LaMancha Herd Book.

Polly was bred to Max, an unregistered Saanen that was the son of Hercules of Wasatch and Delta Cream Puff. Fay's Pollyette L-63, and her three brothers were the result of this breeding. Fay's Pollyette is now owned by Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Soens.

After my La Mancha herd increased to several does and two to three bucks, I would breed La Mancha does to other breed bucks and the very best does of the other breeds and cross breeds were bred to the La Mancha bucks. Christopher played a great part in distributing Murciana blood throughout the La Manchas.

Crocus was another daughter of Wretha, and granddaughter of Toy. She and her descendants are rich in Murciana blood. Murcianas produce a fine-flavored milk, rich in butterfat.2

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gordon were the owners of the registered Murciana whose blood runs through my herd of American La Manchas.3
Mrs. Eula Fay Frey and a team of American La Mancha wethers in an Oregon Centennial parade at Roseburg, Oregon, June 20, 1959.
 

A daughter of Rascal, who was also the granddaughter of Christopher, was bred to a purebred Swill alpine and produced a good line of American La Manchas, one of which was Mickey. Mickey was the mother of Fay's Mickey, L-64. Fay's Mickey, bred to Fay's Ernie L-1, produced Fay's Erna, L-76, and Fay's Myrna L-77. Fay's Myrna is now owned by Amos Nixon.

Scamp and a grade Saanen were the parents of another good strain of American La Manchas.

I have mentioned a few of the families that have descended from Peggy, but there are also quite a few other strains of American La Manchas that have branched off also.

In 1954 I kept quite a number of American La Mancha buck kids and after 1957 discontinued the use of other breeds and bred American La Manchas to American La Manchas. The first American La Manchas were registered in January, 1958.

In 1954, I purchased 36 head of American La Manchas from the late Ira D. Peel. He had obtained them at a sale. I culled this herd to just a few and kept only one of the seven bucks. There were some real good animals in this group.

I made it a point to always select the best purebreds and grades to breed into my American La Mancha herd. Many herd names are represented, some of which are mentioned here. Oakwood, Del-Norte, Chikaming, Wasatch, Delta, Rio Linda, Silver Pine, MacAlpine, Silvergate, Hurricane Acres, Decor'OChevonshire, and I am sure quite a few others not mentioned here.

To the breeders of these fine animals I owe a great deal. To them I am very grateful.
Fay’s Brit
 

The goal that I aimed at in breeding American La Manchas was a breed that was able to produce 3-1/2 to six quarts of fine-flavored milk with 3.5% or more butterfat over a period of one to four years between freshenings. They should have the w-way wedge body, strong legs well-placed, udders well-attached, both front and back, good barrel, short sleek hair, any color or combination of colors, horned or hornless, and head the size of Toggenburgs.

A dream that American La Manchas would some day become a recognized and registered breed has come true.

Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Soens are the first to own registered La Manchas east of the Rocky Mountains, and are also the first to have them on test.

Epilogue
At the annual banquet of the American Milk Goat Record Association in Springfield, Illinois, October 15, 1960, the Mary L. Farley Award was given to Mrs. Eula Fay Frey in recognition of her years of work in developing the La Mancha breed.

Mrs. Frey died in 1968.


1 "Three herd names dominated the list of approximately 235 goats which were destined to become BASIC La Manchas. The Fay candidates were inspected and registered in 1958 with Midolane and Blue Diamond soon added to their prefixes to the herdbooks. Other breeders included R. W. Soens (Bomar), Then ANGRA Secretary, the late Hazel Pike (Lucky Leaf), and the late Ed Coulter (Coulter R). The term BASIC refers to those short-eared goats which were inspected for type, and presumably quality, by a committee of experienced AMGRA members. Several of the first 225, or so, are progeny of other BASICs. Were they also inspected? For the purpose of this article, all numbers up to and including number 225 are considered BASIC." "The Short Ear Phenomenon," Barbara Backus, Dairy Goat Journal, Jan. 1981

2 "The Murciana is a Spanish breed of dairy goat having been developed in the province of Murcia. This area is in the southeast of Spain along the Mediterranean. The ancient kingdom of Murcia was first settled by the Romans and reconquered by the Moors in the 13th Century. The Murciana goat is not earless. It carries its short ears almost horizontally, but the shape of its ear is like that of the Swiss breeds. This breed may have actually originated in Africa as some suspect." "As I see the American La Mancha," S. Tachera, Dairy Goat Journal, Jan. 1975

3 The Murciana goat was clearly in the United States by 1920, as display advertisements in The Goat World of the period attest. In these ads, this breed was referred to as the "Royal Murciana," although Dr. C. P. DeLangle, in his article "The Murcien Goat" printed in the August 1921 issue of The Goat World says, "The only Royalty attached to it, is in the fancy of its admirers, but, let it be said, that the true Murcien goat is one, if not, the handsomest goat known." He also wrote of the Murcien: "It is a made-up breed like most all important goats."

By 1936 the Murcianas must have been a bit scarce. Printed in the Murciana breed column of the January 1936 issue of the Dairy Goat Journal, was an offer to help reestablish the breed. The column indicated that "...at present, it is doubtful if there is a pure-bred buck of this breed in America. As far as is known Mrs. Katherine Kadel has the only purebred does." It goes on to say that while Mrs. Kadel had tried to arrange for further importations from Spain, regulations made this prohibitive. "However, the Journal has scouted around and believes it has found a reliable source of supply in Mexico, from a herd of Murcianas (it also contains Granadas should anyone be interested), imported several years ago from Apain. Prices range from $30 to $100 each."
 

Breed History of the
Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goat
Used by permission from www.andda.org 

Like many breeds of domesticated livestock, the complete history of the Nigerian Dwarf is incomplete. Through the years and stages of development, records were not always kept, or if they were, they are sketchy at best. Developing the history of the breed is much like putting a jigsaw puzzle together that is missing many of its pieces. To reach the present day Nigerian Dwarf, one has to use a combination of documented facts, speculation, deductive reasoning and a little imagination.

What is known is that throughout tropical Western Africa, there is a type of goat referred to as the West African Dwarf (WAD). These goats are used as a food source, both meat and milk, for the local population. Due to economic hardships, keeping "pets" has never been an option. It appears that little thought was used in breeding and it was truly a survival of the fittest phenomenon taking place. In published writings about Albert Schweitzer and his work at his hospital in Lambrene in the country now known as Gabone, the local goat is often referred to, and is credited with supplying the milk for the hospital. The imported breeds typically known as dairy breeds weren't able to withstand the Tse-Tse fly, and therefore were not productive. But throughout the years, the WAD goats continued to survive and thrive. Books on Dr. Schweitzer show pictures of goats similar in type to the Nigerian Dwarves currently found in the United States.

Exactly how the WAD goats came to American soil is one of the missing pieces in the puzzle. One theory is that as the big cats were shipped to zoos, goats were loaded onto the vessels as a food source for the cats while in transit. The goats that weren't consumed went on to live and reproduce in those same zoos. As early as 1918, Joseph Crepin reported in the second edition of la Chévre that WAD goats had been imported to the United States. Additionally, there were a number of documented importations from the 1930s to the 1960s
The first miniature goats to appear in this country were part of zoo exhibits and occasionally research institutions. As the population began to grow, it became necessary to reduce the number of animals, and individuals had their first opportunity to own these unique goats. Originally, all small goats of WAD origin were indiscriminately referred to as pygmies. In the beginning, pygmy was used more to describe a size of goat rather than a specific breed, much like Swiss is often used to refer to the various erect eared breeds hailing from Europe.

As time went on, breeders began to notice differences in type within what had become the Pygmy breed. It became apparent that there were two distinct types: the shorter legged, heavier bodied, round bone animals more typical of what is known today as a Pygmy, and the more refined, angular animal that has become today's Nigerian Dwarf. As breeders began to communicate, they discovered there were others in the United States and Canada who had similar observances. Mrs. Bonnie Abrahamson of North Ogden, Utah, while working in a zoo in California, was one of the first to notice the distinctive difference.

Mrs. Abrahamson brought several black and white animals that she referred to as Nigerian Dwarves to an American Goat Society (AGS) Pygmy certification committee. Despite their more refined type and dairy appearance, these animals were accepted into the AGS Pygmy herdbook. At about the same time, Mr. Heabert Woods of Alexandria, Indiana, had animals similar in type to Mrs. Abrahamson's, but they were brown in color and refused entry into the National Pygmy Goat Associations herdbooks because of their color.

These two breeders petitioned the International Dairy Goat Registry (IDGR) to open a herdbook for Nigerian Dwarves. IDGR opened a separate herdbook for the breed, complete with a standard emphasizing dairy characteristics. On July 24, 1981, Mr. Robert Johnson's Bullfrog Alleys Johnny Jump-Up #2, a buck bred by Mrs. Abrahamson, became the first Nigerian Dwarf registered by any registry. By January 1987, there were 384 animals registered in the herdbooks of IDGR as Nigerian Dwarves, with 93 of those registered the previous year alone. In part, largely due to the fact that IDGR does not sanction shows, the popularity of the registry has waned over the years.

The early Nigerian Dwarves were seen most often in three distinct color lines, all of similar type, even though many of the early breeders attempted to keep each color line separate from the others. A majority of these early animals were brown, black or gold, all with or without random white markings. Possibly because of the limited number of representatives of the breed, breeders did begin to mix the color lines fairly early on, although references to specific color lines could still be found as late as 1988.

In 1984, AGS opened a herdbook for Nigerian Dwarves, and by September of the following year, 82 animals (representing breeders from eight states and Canada) had been registered. The first AGS registered Nigerian Dwarf distinction goes to Wrights Pansy, AGS # D-1f, owned by Francis Wright of Indiana. Mr. Woods was instrumental in getting a separate herdbook for the breed with AGS, and was made chairman of the Nigerian Dwarf committee. Mr. Wright and Pat Freeman of Dutton, Ontario, completed the original Nigerian Dwarf committee for AGS.

To form the foundation of the breed, applications were submitted to the committee along with a clear photograph of the animal and a measurement of the animal at the withers. If the committee unanimously agreed that the animal—that had to be at least one year of age—met the breed standard, the animal was then eligible to be registered as a purebred Nigerian Dwarf. Animals that were accepted for registration using this process are often referred to as a "committee animal." Some of the animals submitted, such as Mrs. Abrahamson's, were previously registered as Pygmies. It also would include animals with unknown backgrounds that showed true Nigerian Dwarf characteristics, and as time went on, animals that were of registered ancestry but which did not have the paperwork kept up. Many times, it was easier to submit the animal for certification than to retrace paperwork for several generations.

The original closing date for the herdbook was set at December 31, 1987. A change in the standard that year, however, would allow animals that previously were ineligible and the date was extended to December 31, 1990. In 1990, with fewer than 400 Nigerian Dwarves registered, the AGS Board voted to extend the deadline until December 31, 1992, to allow for a sufficient genetic base of foundation stock. The certification process did end in 1992, and all animals registered through this point, whether by ancestry or committee approval, carry an "F" suffix to their registration number to indicate that they are considered a foundation animal. Unfortunately, accurate records were not kept as to exactly how many animals were admitted via certification, but by the end of 1992, approximately 2,000 Nigerian Dwarves had been registered with the American Goat Society.

There was still some concern that the breed needed a broader genetic base, and a progeny program was put into place until December 31, 1997. An unregistered animal would still be considered for registration if, when bred to several different AGS registered Nigerian Dwarves (three for does, four for bucks), the animal and all surviving offspring met breed standard and received unanimous approval of the Nigerian Dwarf committee. Again, accurate records were not kept, but one committee member recalls very few of these coming through committee. In keeping with AGS philosophy of closed, purebred herdbooks, since January 1, 1998, the only way to be registered as a purebred Nigerian Dwarf is to be the offspring of two registered purebred Nigerian Dwarves. While there have undoubtedly been animals of varied background admitted to the herdbook, essentially since 1992 the herdbook has been closed. Using the wide genetic base created through the open herdbook, breeders are now molding the breed into a superior milk-producing animal of unmistakable dairy goat type that also happens to be small. While the Nigerian Dwarf and the Pygmy share common ancestry, they have clearly become two, distinct breeds through the efforts of breeders of both of the breeds.

The popularity of the breed has continued to grow, in part because of AGS sanctioned shows being held across the country. The first show that offered a separate sanction for the breed was the 1985 AGS National Show held in Graham, Texas. Only two exhibitors of Nigerian Dwarves were present (Shaula Parker and Kathleen Claps), and the breed wasn't official, but there has been no looking back since.


Pine Cone Valley Black Satin, a doe that is listed as an original import, owned by Ms. Claps, had the distinction of being crowned the first AGS National Champion Nigerian Dwarf. While the popularity of shows skyrocketed after this, another AGS National Show was not held until 1996.Through the hard work of Nigerian Dwarf breeders, an AGS sanctioned National Show, with classes for the Nigerian Dwarf, has been held every year since. Interestingly, the four does to win the national after Black Satin all trace their bloodlines back to her many times.

From the first show in 1985 with a few animals, it is now not uncommon for a show of Nigerian Dwarves to approach 200 animals. AGS sanctioned shows are being held in almost every part of the country, and Nigerian Dwarf breeders are traveling thousands of miles a year to promote the breed and their herds.

In 2002, the Nigerian Dwarf was also accepted into the American Dairy Goat Association herdbook. The first ADGA National with a Nigerian show was held in Louisville, Kentucky in 2010. Nigerian breeders traveled from far and wide to participate in this historic event, bringing along 81 junior does and 109 senior does, for a total of 190 exhibits. It was a grand showing with GCH and RGCH senior doe honors going to Rosasharn P Haiku and AGS Rosasharn's Buckwheat Honey, respectively. Anne Petersen, Massachusetts, owned both does.

Looking back at the breeders that have made this all happen, the most influential would be Mrs. Abrahamson. It was her vision that the breed be classified separately from what was known as the Pygmy. Due to her failing health, Mrs. Abrahamson was force to sell her herd in 1981, and Robert Johnson, owner of IDGR, purchased her herd. Her Bullfrog Alley herd can be found in many of today's Nigerian Dwarves, either directly, or more commonly through Mr. Johnson's Pine Cone Valley herd.

Of course, Mr. Wood, working primarily with the brown line, was quite influential, and Highland Woods animals are evident in many pedigrees. Mr. Wood worked closely with Mr. Wright of Wrights Acres, and those animals appear in many pedigrees as well. Ms. Freeman's Braco herd, primarily through the popularity of one buck, can be found in many pedigrees. Of these early breeders, unfortunately many are no longer alive or no longer active. Ms. Freeman still breeds goats, but her herd is known more for its Pygmies.

Moving a bit forward, one can find three other prominent herds that have heavily influenced the Nigerian Dwarf breed. Mrs. Sandra Mason, now of Medina, Ohio, but previously from Texas and then Washington, owns the Brush Creek herd. Much of her original herd traced to the San Antonio Zoo that reportedly had direct imports. Mrs. Mason has been breeding Nigerian Dwarves since 1982, was an AGS Nigerian Dwarf committee chairperson and an ANDDA Director.

Also beginning in 1982, Mrs. Shaula Parker of Willow Park, Texas, began breeding under the herd name of Willows or Willow Creek. Mrs. Parker's animals can be found in pedigrees throughout the country. Additionally, Mrs. Parker was the breeder of the 1996 National Best of Breed doe. Mrs. Parker and Mrs. Mason formed a very close relationship, and animals from each herd could be found in the other. Also, these two ladies co-edited the first breed publication, Footnotes*.

The last herd to be mentioned is that of Ms. Kathleen Claps, of Dripping Springs, Texas. Her Goodwood animals have stamped a very distinctive type across the breed. The achievement of the Goodwood animals is nothing less than remarkable. The first Master Champions bear the Goodwood name, the 1997 National Best of Breed doe was a Goodwood doe, and the first animals on test were owned by Goodwood. Ms. Claps was also the founder of one of the original breed organizations for the breed, and following the decision to stop publishing Footnotes*, she began the breed magazine, Ruminations, and was its editor for many years. These three ladies have done more than most will ever know, in helping the formation of the breed to what it has become today.
 

Alpine Breed Standard

American Dairy Goat Association

The Alpine Dairy Goat is also referred to as the French Alpine and registration papers for this dairy goat use both designations and they are synonymous. The Alpine dairy goat is a medium to large size animal, alertly graceful, and the only breed with upright ears that offers all colors and combinations of colors giving them distinction and individuality. They are hardy, adaptable animals that thrive in any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production. The hair is medium to short. Mature does are expected to be no less than 30 inches at the withers and weigh no less than 135lbs. Mature bucks are expected to be no less than 32 inches at the withers and weigh no less than 170lbs. 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 gray hindquarters. This is not a cou blanc or cou clair as these terms are reserved for animals with black hindquarters.



BROKEN- Any variation in the above patterns broken with white should be described as a broken pattern such as a broken cou blanc.

 

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The French vs. The American Alpine

Amongst new Alpine enthusiasts, the French and American designation is often a confusing one. The French or Purebred Alpine is one who traces back to only the original animals imported from France. American Alpines those animals that have been crossed with other breeds and then bred back up using registered American or French Alpine bucks. A French Alpine (aka Purebred Alpine) can only be achieved by breeding two French Alpines together. The terms French and Purebred are synonymous and can be used interchangeably. However, because American Alpines result from crossbreeding, they cannot be described as "Purebred". The registration papers of all Alpines will designate if the animal is French or American Alpine. At dairy goat shows, French and American Alpines compete against each other and are shown in the same "Alpine" breed division.

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 American Goat Society

The French Alpine is sleek, short-haired, and multicolored. It tends to look larger, "rangier," and more fine boned than the Toggenburg, with more space between the ground and the underline of the body. Although the angularity and width should still be present, they may not be as obvious as in the Toggenburg . The head should be wide between the very alert eyes, but because of its long body, the width may not be as apparent as in other breeds. The "dish" in the bridge of the nose will be less severe than other breeds, sometimes being almost straight. The muzzle may not appear to be as wide as deep, and the ears may be longer than the Toggenburg, although just as alert.

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British Goat Society

This goat is black with white Swiss markings and has been developed in the UK. The goat should be rangy with a short fine coat. The overall effect is a most impressive animal when the black coat acquires its summer gloss. The breed can be highly individual in character and tends to be a breed for enthusiasts who like a challenge.

British Alpines generally have long lactations. An average 24 hour yield of 4.09 Kg. at 3.77% butterfat and 2.74% protein was obtained by considering data from all British Alpines entered in B.G.S. recognized milking trials in a recent year (459 performances).

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 Canadian Goat Society

The Alpine is one of the Swiss breeds, and is acceptable in any color pattern, although bucks with solid white or standard Toggenburg color and markings are faulted. Ears are upright; the bridge of the nose is straight or slightly dished.

Color patterns in the Alpine are often referred to by French names: the illustration shows a cou clair (light-colored neck) broken with a wide white belt. Other color patterns are cou blanc (white neck, black rear quarters), sundgau (black with white facial stripes, white below knees and hocks, white on either side of the tail), and chamoisée (any shade or mixture of brown, often with a black stripe along the back and white markings on the face) or two-tone chamoisée (usually a lighter brown on the forequarters). A "broken" pattern has large white areas obscuring the basic colors.

Alpine Breed History

 Goats were the first animals domesticated by man. Bones of goats have been found in caves along with evidence of human inhabitation of those caves. One of the goat remains had evidence of a healed broken leg that could have only healed under the protection of humans. That animal would have died in the wild. Her remains have been carbon dated to 12 to 15,000 years ago. These goats were the Persian (Middle Eastern) goat Pashang. All European Mountain Goats descend from the Pashang goat, also known as the Bezoar goat. This includes our present day Alpines and the other breed variations based on color including the Saanen, Toggenburg, and Oberhasli. Alpines were named for their home mountain range, the Alps. Once you get to know the Alpines friendly curious personality, you wonder who domesticated whom?

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Over thousands of years, natural selection developed the Alpine breed with superior agility to survive on steep mountain slopes. They developed a perfect sense of balance. The breed maintained its ability to survive in arid regions. European goat herders started selective breeding for milk production and favorite colors.

The Alpines adaptability, sense of balance, and personality made them good candidates for voyages. Early voyages were made feasible by taking along goats for milk and meat. The early sea captains often left a pair of goats on islands along their shipping routes. On return voyages, they could stop and catch a meal or a fresh source of milk. Today Alpines can be found thriving in nearly every climate and the goat is the most common farm animal found around the world.

When the first settlers came to America, they brought along their milch goats. Captain John Smith brought milch goats over on the Mayflower. A 1630 census of Jamestown lists goats as one of their most valuable assets. Swiss breeds along with Spanish and Austrian goats were brought to North America from 1590's to 1700. The Austrian and Spanish breeds were similar to the Swiss breeds though smaller. Cross breeding produced a common American goat.

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1904 was a turning point for goats in America. The 1904 World’s Fair, in St. Louis Missouri, held the first dairy goat show in America. The Missouri Historical Review said “The first provision made at a World’s Fair for a display of Milch Goats brought to the Exposition some choice imported and home bred specimens of that valuable type.” At the same World’s Fair, Carl Hagenbeck imported two Schwarzwald Alpine does from the Black Forest of Germany. They were displayed in a natural setting mimicking the Alps Mountains in Hagenbeck's Wild Animal Paradise. More than 20 million people attended the 1904 World’s Fair and had the opportunity to watch Alpine Antics. After the fair Hagenbeck’s goats were shipped to Maryland. Their history is a mystery. Also in 1904 Frenchman Joseph Crepin and Canadian Oscar Dufresne, imported a group of Alpines to Canada and California. The American Milk Goat Record Association (now ADGA) was started in 1904. The official spelling of milch changed to milk in the USA. Interest in milk goats was spreading across America.

In 1906 Mrs. Edward Roby of Chicago worked to create an "American Goat" that would help to provide a safe tuberculosis free milk supply for the children of Chicago. These were a cross of common American goats and imported Swiss genetics. Her crossbred goats could have become American Alpines had there been a registry at that time. In 1915 a wild Alpine type goat was taken from the Guadeloupe islands. She produced 1600 lbs. of milk in 310 days.

From 1904 to 1922, 160 Saanen were imported to the United States. From 1893 to 1941, 190 Toggenburg were imported. Common American goats were then crossed with the superior Toggenburg and Saanen goats. This breeding up program was very successful. In 1921, Irmagarde Richards speculated that the success of the breeding up program was due to common American goats having a similar European ancestry to the Purebred Swiss goats. Since the resulting animals often didn't match the color requirements for Saanen and Toggenburg, the animals became grade Alpines.

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French Alpines

French Alpines were first imported to the United States in 1922, by Dr. Charles P. Delangle. Delangle was an accomplished scholar, member of the French Academy and close personal friend of Mr. Joseph Crepin. Crepin was the chief authority on French capriculture at the time and author of influential book, La Chevre. In the Fall of 1922, as hundreds of goats came down from their summer pastures high in the Alpes, to winter in the Alpine valleys, Mr. Crepin helped Dr. Delangle select 19 does and 3 bucks from these huge herds.

The two then transported the 22 selected animals to Paris for shipment to America. Going by steamer, they spent quarantine in Cuba and arrived finally in America at the port in New Orleans. From there they continued overland by rail to California. Dr. Delangle's herd name was "Alpine Goat Dairy" but it was short lived. He was in poor health and had conflicts with a number of goat breeders, including the Goat Association Board of Directors. On August 20, 1923 he was expelled from the American Milk Goat Record Association. Shortly there-after, he sold and gave away his herd and apparently left the world of goats. However, Dr. Delangle’s legacy lives on as all goats registered as “French Alpines” directly descend from the 22 animals he selected and imported in 1922
 


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Rock Alpines

Rock Alpines were created by crossbreeding goats of the 1904 and 1922 importations. In 1904, through Frenchman Joseph Crepin an importation of Alpines including Saanens and Toggs was brought to Canada. Mary E. Rock of California purchased some of these because of the illness of her little daughter. One doe from the 1904 importation was a CouBlanc named Molly Crepin. She is the only imported coublanc doe of record. She then acquired French Alpines from the 1922 importation. Rock Alpines were the result of breeding these animals together without any other outside genetics. Rock Alpines were the finest of their time and regularly won at shows and milking competitions. The Saanens used were either Sables or color carriers. One of her Saanen does was named Damfino. She was a black and white Saanen. When a friend asked, "How come the color?” she replied "Dam-if-I-no" and that became the doe's name. (And you thought the Sable debate was new) Mrs. Rock's herd name was "Little Hill". She was an avid writer and contributed articles to popular goat publications for many years. The American Milk Goat Record Association recognized Rock Alpines as a breed in 1931. AGS recognized Rock Alpines. Rock Alpines flourished until World War II. Rock Alpines have not been registered for many years now, but their excellent genetics have been absorbed into the American Alpine herd.

British Alpines

British Alpines look like black and white Toggs. They also resemble the Grison breed of Switzerland. British Alpines were first bred in England after Sedgemere Faith, a female Sundgau goat was imported to England from the Paris Zoo in 1903. The British Alpine Section of the British Goat Society herd book was opened in 1925. Allan Rogers imported British Alpines to America in the 1950's. In America, British Alpines are no longer registered separately, but as Sundgau in the French and American Alpine herdbooks. Sundgau is the name of the hilly geographic region near the French/German/Swiss border along the Rhine River.

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 Swiss Alpine

Swiss Alpines, now called Oberhasli, have a warm red-brown coat with black trimmings along the muzzle, face, back, and belly. This coloring is known as chamoisee for Alpines. The Oberhasli come from the Brienzer region of Switzerland near Bern. The first Oberhasli were imported into the United States in the early nineteen hundreds. Three Swiss Alpines (called Schwartzenberg-Guggisberger in a 1918 USDA Farmers Bulletin) came with Fred Stucker’s 1906 importation, but their descendants were not kept pure. Purebred Oberhasli descend from four does and one buck imported in 1936 by Dr. H.O. Pence of Kansas City, Missouri and identified as Swiss Alpines. In 1937 Dr. Pence wrote, “I was particularly interested in pure blooded animals, long lactations, large quantities of milk with extra fine quality. This I found in Switzerland. The goats were in the Alps. The secretary of the goat association personally conducted a tour of 10 different herds of hundreds of goats of different breeds. After seeing the herds of the various breeds, I chose the Swiss Alpine, which are a rich chamoise in color with black inside of ears and tips with black stripe down the entire back, black feet. They are hornless and have been for over thirty years period.” Three of the four does had been bred to different bucks while still in Switzerland. Purebred descendants were registered as Swiss Alpines, while the crossbreeds were registered as American Alpines. In 1941, Dr. Pence sold his Swiss Alpines in two divided groups. One of the groups was eventually lost in the 1950's while the other ended up in California, owned by Esther Oman. Her herd names were Patterswiss and Play Fair. For the next thirty years she was one of the few breeders preserving the Swiss Alpine in the United States. The pedigree of most purebred Oberhasli can be traced to Mrs. Oman's herd. In 1968 Oberhasli breeders first asked ADGA for recognition as a distinct breed with a separate herdbook. In 1979 ADGA recognized Swiss Alpine as a separate breed and the name was changed to Oberhasli. In 1980 the Oberhasli herdbook was created and these animals were pulled from the Alpine herdbook. No doubt Oberhasli genetics are still a part of the American Alpine gene pool.
 
American Alpines

American Alpines are an American original. This breed is the result of crossbreeding with French or American Alpines. This program has brought in genetics from several breeds as explained above and gives the American Alpine one of the largest genetic pools of any goat breed in America. The results have been dramatic with American Alpines setting production records, winning at shows and being a generally larger stronger animal than the original French version. American Alpines represent the success of hybrid vigor.




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Information for this article was excerpted from my book in progress “The History of Goats in America” I want to thank all of you who have contributed to this project. This article is the result of dozens of people’s effort to save our history. If you have an interesting bit of goat history to contribute, please send to: