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With the spread of anthelmintic resistance (AR), endoparasite monitoring consolidates its role for a more sustainable targeting of treatments. A survey on endoparasites in dairy goat farms of north-eastern Italy was conducted to test a monitoring approach based on a farm-tailored sample size. Farm management and parasites control practices were investigated in 20 farms through a questionnaire survey. Further, fecal samples were collected (November 2018--September 2019) from 264 animals from 13 farms and were analyzed individually with a modified McMaster method and subsequently pooled to perform a coproculture. Coccidia (78.4%), gastrointestinal strongyles (37.9%), Strongyloides (28.4%), Skrjabinema (18.9%), Trichuris (8.0%) and Nematodirus/Marshallagia (0.4%) were identified. Abundances were higher for coccidia and gastrointestinal strongyles. Haemonchus (71%) was the dominant gastrointestinal nematode. Pasture and age class resulted in the main risk factors at the multivariable analysis through a negative binomial regression model. Results from farm monitoring indicate that our approach can be a cost-effective decision tool to target treatments more effectively, but farmers need to be educated about the importance of parasitological testing, which is currently scarcely implemented, against the risk of AR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goat farming is a major livelihood activity for most smallholder farmers in Botswana. To ensure sustainable livelihoods for these farmers, a shift from the prevalent traditional and subsistence system to a more market-oriented one is considered necessary. Market participation is widely viewed as an effective means of addressing poverty which is particularly rampant in most rural areas of Botswana and other developing countries. Little evidence is however available on the link between market participation and household welfare, especially among livestock and, in particular, small stock farmers. This paper evaluates the effect of market participation on household welfare among smallholder goat farmers. Estimating an endogenous switching regression model, the results show a positive and significant effect of market participation on household income for both participant and non-participant farmers. This effect was found to be more pronounced among the non-participants had they decided to sell. The results suggest that goat farmers should be encouraged to engage in market participation other than their traditional ways of keeping goats. This implies that existing policies and programs that increase market participation and encourage market-oriented farming should be revised in order to provide efficient and sustainable support. Furthermore, the study recommends that information on goat markets should reach rural areas where most farmers reside and are unable to access technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A family size on-farm trial was conducted to evaluate an alternative to soften the thorns of a wild cactus (Opuntia tomentosa) employing a 5% salty-silage approach. The participatory action-research trial on a family-scale goat farm took place at the municipality of Valle de Santiago, Guanajuato, México. The flexibility of the spine was evaluated manually at 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment. Flexibility of the thorns was evident since after 14 days of treatment. Goats readily accepted the saltysilage product. It is considered that a social technology was generated for the use of native resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Worldwide, goats have always been linked to man, mainly due to the quality of their production of meat, milk, and wool. The aim of this paper is to present the general characteristics of household systems for goat production in the municipality of Camagüey, Cuba. Methods: A survey was applied to 46 household farmers in urban and suburban areas of the city of Camagüey, Cuba. Descriptive statistics was used in the study, along with hierarchical clustering for system classification. Results: All the farmers are over 20 years of age, predominantly males with secondary education, on average. Overall, 54.3% of them does not own or is leasing land, and 47.8% works independently from any organizations; the rest belongs to a few cooperatives. The farmers have access to little input and investment funds, and their labor is framed within their households, without salaries; their main way of sustenance is not goat breeding. The herds comprised between 1 and 54 goats, of which 27.5% are milking females. The systems were classified into three types, considering the total of goats, grazing hours, milking goats, years of experience, educational level, and family members engaged in the activity. The first group showed a higher educational level, longer grazing time, and a larger number of animals; the second averaged 5 hours of grazing and eighth grade of education. The indicators in these two groups were higher than in the third group. Conclusions: Household goat production systems were characterized in the municipality of Camagüey, which will contribute to more strategic work projects that promote local sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most suckling kids are raised on farms for cheese production, and many goat farmers rear kids with milk replacers. The aim of this work was to study the influence of the use of milk replacers on the color of four muscles. A total of 246 suckling kids of eight breeds were slaughtered to achieve carcasses of 5 kg. The color of the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and longissimus thoracis muscles was measured with a spectrophotometer, and CIELab coordinates were registered. In addition, the pH of longissimus thoracis was measured. The effect of the rearing system (RS) on the color of the studied muscles is strongly modulated by breed. In general terms, there are two groups of kids according to the color of meat. The first group has great lightness and hue angle including Malagueña, Palmera, and Tinerfeña fed natural and artificial milk. The second group with great redness includes Retinta, Payoya, and Verata fed natural and artificial milk together with Florida fed natural milk and Cabra del Guadarrama fed milk replacers. Hence, farms should consider selecting a breed and RS together. Most of the kid meat with high pH comes from kids raised on milk replacers. Because artificial RSs use very early weaning, which might induce a high pH and dark meat, two artificial rearing strategies can be proposed. The first strategy is to choose less sensitive breeds that produce meat with a normal pH. The second strategy is to restrict suckling of natural milk but minimize separation from the mother. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public interest is stimulating farming industries to improve animal welfare in production systems. Indoor housing of ruminants has received scrutiny because of perceived intensiveness and lack of naturalness. Animal welfare has traditionally focused on health benefits (e.g. bedding management and reducing disease) and reducing negative experiences (e.g. painful husbandry practices). Recent attention to animals having "a life worth living" extends expectations to provide increased care and opportunities for positive experiences and natural behaviors. Although not all natural behaviors necessarily contribute to improved welfare, we present evidence for why many are important, and for how they can be promoted in commercial systems. Worldwide, commercial dairy goats (Capra hircus) are frequently housed in large open barns with space to move and soft bedding for lying; however, this is not sufficient to promote the range of natural behaviors of goats, which in turn suggests that commercial housing could be improved. The basis for this thinking is from the range of behaviors expressed by the Capra genus. Collectively, these species have evolved cognitive and behavioral strategies to cope with harsh and changing environments, as well as variable and limited vegetation. The rocky and often steep terrain that goats inhabit allows for predator avoidance and access to shelter, so it is not surprising that domesticated goats also seek out elevation and hiding spaces; indeed, their hoof structure is designed for the movement and grip in such rugged environments. The browsing techniques and flexibility in diet selection of wild, feral and extensively managed goats, appears to be equally important to housed goats, highlighting the need for more complexity in how and what goats are fed. Goats naturally live in small, dynamic groups, governed by complex social structures in which horns play a strong role. Commercial housing systems should consider the benefits of more natural-sized social groups and revisit the rationale behind horn removal. We suggest that cognitive stimulation is a potential welfare improvement for goats in commercial settings. Goat cognitive abilities, which enabled success in complex and variable social and physical environments, are unchallenged in uniform environments, potentially leading to negative affective states. We make suggestions for housing improvements that could be readily adopted into current systems without compromising production efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the allocations and distributions of subsidies in the sheep sector in the previous years (2004-2009), the authors examined the sum of aids claimed and paid from 2010 to 2016 and their farm-size related changes. The following data were collected from the Agricultural and Rural Development Institute on payments under specific subsidy titles, classified by sheep and goat farm sizes: 0-50; 51-100, 101-200, 201-300 and also 0-100, 101-300, 301-500, 501-1000, 1001-5000 and above 5000. Data procession was carried out by the SPSS for Windows 22 program. The size and population of the examined sheep sector underwent visible changes during the studied years leading to a reduction rather than growth. Their analysis highlights that size distribution of sheep farms has changed significantly in recent years, combined with simultaneous modifications of their sheep stock sizes in production. Their conclusions suggest that effects of years and farm sizes in the sheep and goat sector have considerably modified the aid sums paid under different titles. JEL Classification: H5, Q14

The study considered the training needs of sheep and goat farmers in Ekiti state, Nigeria. Specifically, the study profiled the socio-economic characteristics of sheep and goat farmers, assessed their knowledge and skill in small ruminant production management practices, determined the productivity of their management practices, identified their training needs and isolated factors influencing it. A total of 183 respondents for the study were selected via a multi-stage sampling procedure. Data for the study was collected using interview schedule and analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The average age of the farmers was 50 years and 88.0 per cent of them were literate. The average yearly income from small ruminant production was ₦9, 041. Farmers' level of knowledge was highest in identification of sick animals (x =9.1) but lowest in vaccination (x =1.3). The level of skill of farmers was highest in feeding of animals (x =4.3) but lowest in health management (x =2.5). The average productivity for goat in the study area was ₦29, 642 with many (62.8%) of the farmers producing below the group average value. Also, the average productivity for sheep was ₦50, 066 with 53.0 per cent of the farmers producing below the group average. Construction of modern houses and health management practices are some of the identified training needs of the farmers. Furthermore, age of farmers, their contact with extension agents and level of skill were some of the factors influencing their training needs. The study recommended that the identified training needs should be emphasized in any capacity building programme aimed at improving the productivity of small ruminant farmers in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study focused on geographical relationships and cultural practices between goats and their predators in the Colliguaycito ravine is presented. This geographical unit belongs to the town of Monte Patria, province of Limari, Region of Coquimbo (Chile). The objective of the study is to know and understand which animals are harmful to goats and how geography affects the distribution of animals that attack herds. The hypothesis is to verify if there is a geographical relationship between the stationary grazing of goats and the attack of wild fauna in the Colliguaycito ravine. The study area was delimited with the help of the computer program Google Earth 2016. The methods used were: bibliographical analysis and in-depth interviews with some goat-keepers in the area. Geographic points where predators were spotted were evaluated, drawing up a scheme of transhumance periods and the cultural practices used by goats to keep predators away. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of low dose, prophylactic antibiotics contributes to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In one study, goat meat in Missouri was found to have a higher percentage of antibiotic residues at slaughter than the national average, so we attempted to identify factors related to goat production that may contribute to this issue. Using the knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAB) model, we interviewed 11 Missouri goat farmers about factors affecting antibiotic use. Most of the farmers did not have specific protocols for managing illnesses and only relied on veterinarians for major health issues. Many felt veterinarians lacked knowledge about goat medicine so instead relied on other farmers’ or their own experiences for treatment modalities. While most agreed that antibiotic resistance was a concern, only 4 of the 11 indicated that they only used antibiotics when prescribed by the veterinarian. Veterinarians should be relied on and valued for their medical expertise, but they are not always being utilized in this manner. Therefore, veterinary education should emphasize goat health management to a greater extent than it currently does, and soft skills to build collaborative relationships with farmers should be taught to promote preventative health measures and more judicious use of antibiotics.

The study objectives were to gather feedback and opinions of goat farmers on the Forest and Nature Conservation Rule on goat rearing in Bhutan and identify field constraints arising from the conservation rule. Focus group and individual farmer survey methods were employed, and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to interview 180 goat farmers of six districts. All respondents were aware of the conservation rule. Majority of respondents knew goats as a threat to forest and crops. The vast majority of respondents felt that the conservation rule is not relevant in modern times, and all respondents felt the need to revise the rule. The main problem faced by farmers was difficulty in maintaining their goat numbers to four. The other problems faced were frequent conflicts with Forest personnel and restricted opportunities to earn more income. While the expected changes in the conservation rule included provisions to allow a farmer to rear more number of goats under stall-fed conditions, the additional rule suggested by farmers was allowing goats to browse freely in the forest. Majority of farmers reared goats under stall-fed conditions. The most common practice of managing goat populations was selling goats to fellow farmers. Despite the constraints, a majority of farmers expressed their willingness to continue goat rearing in the future, mainly to generate more income. The study findings suggest revision of the rule on goat rearing, with strong consideration of the needs of the modern farming system and growing economic demands. In revising the rule, the study recommends balanced representation from stakeholders and technical experts from both forest and livestock disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A software application (virtual guide), called CAPRIDROID, was designed for goat farming, aimed at farmers, extension workers and other people that are related to this activity and have access to cell phones with Android system version 2.3.3 and higher. The software application was developed under General Public License (GPL), and its size is 2 MB. The primary language of the application developed and compiled is Java 7.0. This computer tool in the form of interactive book offers updated information about goat farming systems under sustainable conditions, and in it the good practices concerning feeding, reproduction, health, breeding, among others, are detailed. Among the advantages of this software application it can be stated that it includes pictures, figures and tables; on the other hand, given the flexibility of its design, it can be updated and new options can be included according to the user's interests. It is concluded that this computer product contains valuable information for farmers allowing to improve decision making in the management of goat herds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livestock sector serves as a foremost source of revenue for rural people, particularly in many developing countries. Among the livestock species, sheep and goats are the main source of livelihood for rural people in Ethiopia; they can quickly multiply, resilient and are easily convertible to cash to meet financial needs of the rural producers. The multiple contributions of sheep and goat and other livestock to rural farmers are however being challenged by climate change and variability. Farmers are responding to the impacts of climate change by adopting different mechanisms, where choices are largely dependent on many factors. This study, therefore, aims to analyze the determinants of choices of adaptation practices to climate change that causes scarcity of feed, heat stress, shortage of water and pasture on sheep and goat production. The study used 318 sample households drawn from potential livestock producing districts representing 3 agro-ecological settings. Data was analyzed using simple descriptive statistical tools, a multivariate probit model and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS). Most of the respondents (98.6 %) noted that climate is changing. Respondents' perception is that climate change is expressed through increased temperature (88 %) and decline in rainfall (73 %) over the last 10 years. The most commonly used adaptation strategy was marketing during forage shock (96.5 %), followed by home feeding (89.6 %). The estimation from the multivariate probit model showed that access to information, farming experience, number of households in one village, distance to main market, income of household, and agro-ecological settings influenced farmers' adaptation choices to climate change. Furthermore, OLS revealed that the adaptation strategies had positive influence on the household income. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt was made to document various constraints faced by Ahir community goat keepers by selecting 300 goat keepers from Valsad and Navsari districts of south Gujarat using multistage random sampling technique. The data was collected by interview schedule on five point agreement scale. The analyzed data revealed nine management related, ten socio-economic and five region specific constraints. Among them high feed cost and more illness and mortality emerged as the most important management related constraints. Lack of credit facility and high wage rate emerged as top socio-economic constraints. The region specific constraints identified were heavy rainfall condition and floods/natural disasters. It was suggested that the above said most important constraints must be considered for developing remedial package for profitable goat farming in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An ex-post-facto study was conducted to assess the information needs of goat rearing farmers as perceived by them, with a sample size of 160 respondents in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. Information needs were assessed in total 34 aspects of goat rearing practices; five each from health care and marketing-finance and eight each from breeding, feeding and housing-management. The investigation revealed that goat health care was the first area for information need as perceived by the farmers followed by marketing-finance, feeding, housing-management and breeding. Among specific sub areas; information regarding 'common goat diseases with their preventive measures', 'vaccination', 'local market', 'banking finance for goat farm', 'preparation of economic and balanced ration', 'care of does' and 'breed selection' were perceived with higher intensity of need. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogas can be a clean cooking alternative where biomass is the dominant source of cooking energy and where feedstock for anaerobic digestion is available. By substituting woody biomass for energy, biogas may reduce local deforestation. Tanzania has more than 15.6 million goats. Dairy goats of different breeds are found in the mid- to high altitudes of the country. Population density has made firewood increasingly scarce and there are few energy alternatives in mountainous areas such as in the Uluguru Mountains. In Mgeta ward, Morogoro region, introduction of Norwegian dairy goats in the 1980s has improved livelihoods in the area. In this study, goat manure was assessed as feedstock for biogas and as fertilizer. Field work among small-holder dairy goat farmers in Mgeta was conducted to measure daily manure production, and to provide a basic model for prediction of the quantity of droppings which may be collected by farmers. Biogas and fertilizer potential from goat manure was compared to cow and pig manure. Buswell's formula was used to calculate approximate methane yield. The results show that goat manure from Mgeta can yield 167 l ⋅ kg Volatile Solids-1 (VS). Compared with other substrates approximate methane yield can be ranked as pig > guatemala grass > cow > goat. The average goat of 25 kg in Mgeta leaves 61 kg Total Solids (TS) droppings per year. It was estimated that 15 goats ⋅ capita-1 would be required to meet the total cooking energy needs of small-holder households in the study location. N:P:K content in goat manure (TS) is 2:1:1, similar to cow and pig manure. Goat droppings had to be macerated to reduce particle size for anaerobic digestion. Biogas from dairy goats could be combined with the year-round irrigated horticulture production in Mgeta. Vegetable gardens in the slope below the digesters could be fertilized by gravitation with the NH4+-rich bioslurry, to save labour and increase yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the period of January-May, 2015, the goat production systems were characterized in all the municipalities of the Ciego de Ávila province. Two hundred and fifteen goat raisers, private as well as state ones, were visited and semi-structured surveys were applied, at farm level and in their respective productive bases. The total animals of the surveyed raisers was 25 735, which is equivalent to 86% of the stock in the province. The Baraguá municipality stood out as the one with the highest quantity of heads (8 206), followed by the Majagua municipality (5 233 animals), which have 44,9% of the total stock of the province. The average age of the raisers was lower than 60 years in more than 90% of the respondents, and the high school or technical level prevailed, which is adequate if the training process about the goat species should be assimilated. In general, the crossbred or creole genotypes prevailed, although the Nubia breed prevailed in Baraguá and the Alpine crossbreed, introduced in previous years, predominated in the Primero de Enero and Majagua municipalities. The weight at slaughter was optimum in Baraguá, Florencia, Majagua and Venezuela (22-25 kg for six-month-old bucks), and the worst situation was observed in Morón with a much lower weight. The characterization made allowed to identify the insufficient attention received by the farmers linked to goat raising, extensive grazing systems on natural covers and little use of other alternative feeding sources, the technical-constructive deficiencies of the facilities, the parasite control, the scarce treatment of wastes before being used, and the limited technical orientation and training provided by the responsible entities of the territory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Average meat yield of goat in India is lower than many developing countries because of under feeding and faulty management practices. There are different improved technologies and practices recommended by experts for goat farmers to get better production and productivity. Present study was conducted in Mainpuri and Firozabad district of Uttar Pradesh among 240 goat farmers to ascertain their adoption behaviour about improved technologies of goat husbandry. Reproduction and heath care practices had lowest mean score of adoption, kid management practices had highest mean followed by feeding practices whereas mean score of general management practice fall in between kid and feeding management. Majority of goat farmers were partial adaptors of all the management practices. Education of farmers and their family education status had positive correlation (p<0.05) whereas flock size had negative correlation with adoption index of many management practices. Age, flock size and family size contribute negatively whereas farmer's education, family education status and land holding contribute positively to adoption index of many management practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this research were to determine efect of material and fermentation time on quality and digestibility of fermented complete feed, average daily gain (ADG) of Bligon goats and farmer's income. The research was conducted during twelve weeks in the housing of goat farmers at Purwomanunggal farmers' group, Panggang, Gunung Kidul district. Fifteen Bligon male goats, 8 months of age and 12 to 15 kg of body weight, were randomly divided into three treatments, each groups consisted of five goats. The treatments were: control feed (R0 ), one week fermented complete feed (R1), and two weeks fermented complete feed (R2). Data were analyzed with ANOVA based on one way completely randomized design and continued with Duncan's multiple range tests for significant differences. Result showed that complete feed fermented for two weeks had darker color and stronger odors compared with one week fermentation. Both fermented complete feed (one and two weeks) had soft textures, no fungi with pH ranged from 4.5 to 5.0. Total digestible nutrient (TDN) intake was significantly affected by the treatment. The treatment had no significant effect on acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber(NDF) digestibility, average daily gain, and farmer's income [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to evaluate the path analysis of recording system innovation factors affecting adoption of goat farmers. This study was conducted from January to February 2014 in Pringapus District, Semarang Regency by using survey method. For determining the location, this study used purposive sampling method. The amount of respondents were determined by quota sampling method. Total respondents randomly chosed were 146 farmers. The data were descriptively and quantitatively analyzed by using path analysis of statistical package for the social science (SPSS) 16. Independent variables in this study were internal factor, motivation, innovation characteristics, information source, and dependent variable was adoption. Analysis of linear regression showed that there was no significant effect of internal factor on adoption, so that it was important to use the trimming method in path analysis. The result of path analysis showed that the influence of motivation, innovation characteristics and information source on adoption were 0.168; 0.720 and 0.09, respectively. Innovation characteristics were the greatest effect on adoption. In conclusion, by improving innovation characteristics of respondent through motivation and information source may significantly increase the adoption of recording system in goat farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community Q fever epidemics occurred in the Netherlands in 2007-2009, with dairy goat and dairy sheep farms as the implicated source. The aim of the study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors for seropositivity in dairy goat farmers and their household members living or working on these farms. Sera of 268 people living or working on 111 dairy goat farms were tested for Coxiella burnetii IgG and IgM antibodies using immunofluorescence assay. Seroprevalences in farmers, spouses and children (12-17 years) were 73.5%, 66.7%, and 57.1%, respectively. Risk factors for seropositivity were: performing three or more daily goat-related tasks, farm location in the two southern provinces of the country, proximity to bulk milk-positive farms, distance from the nearest stable to residence of 10 meters or less, presence of cats and multiple goat breeds in the stable, covering stable air spaces and staff not wearing farm boots. Goat farmers have a high risk to acquire this occupational infection. Clinicians should consider Q fever in this population presenting with compatible symptoms to allow timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent severe sequelae. Based on the risk factors identified, strengthening general biosecurity measures is recommended such as consistently wearing boots and protective clothing by farm staff to avoid indirect transmission and avoiding access of companion animals in the goat stable. Furthermore, it provides an evidence base for continuation of the current vaccination policy for small ruminants, preventing spread from contaminated farms to other farms in the vicinity. Finally, vaccination of seronegative farmers and household members could be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smallholder farmers have difficulties entering established value chains with value-added products. In this paper, we look at smallholders' capability to establish and sustainably manage a competitive and economically viable local dairy value chain through the case of Twawose, a small dairy goat co-operative in Tanzania. The analysis uses a value chain approach as a framework to identify the possibilities for upgrading and the determinants of competitiveness in value chains in which smallholder farmers can participate. Results highlight the benefits Twawose participants receive, but caution that a multitude of constraints could impede scaling-up in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross sectional study determined the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among backyard animal raisers and goats in Baler, San Luis and Maria Aurora municipalities of Aurora province in the Philippines and determined risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium spp. infection among animal raisers and their goats. Systematic random sampling was used in selecting the animal raisers (n=678) and goats (n=168) from each barangay by municipality. The animal raisers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire containing all probable risk factors associated with cryptosporidiosis transmission. Animal raisers age 37-47 years had the highest cases of PCR positive reactors for C. parvum DNA. The general prevalence of human cryptosporidiosis was 21% regardless of age and sex of animal raisers.The prevalence of caprine cryptosporidiosis was 18% (30/168). All 30 goat fecal samples were positive reactors for the C. parvum DNA. Out of these 30 goats, 40% (12/30) were raised by infected goat raisers positive for C. parvum. After controlling all confounders, the potential risks significantly associated with human cryptosporidiosis were exposure to infected goats, herd size, garbage disposal and presence of scavengers. Interactions between length of experience in goat raising and hand washing and length of experience and herd size were also significantly associated. The only potential risk associated with caprine cryptosporidiosis was long standing diarrhea in the farm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2009, dairy goat farms in the Netherlands were implicated in >2,300 cases of Q fever; in response, 51,820 small ruminants were culled. Among 517 culling workers, despite use of personal protective equipment, 17.5% seroconverted for antibodies to Coxiella burnetii. Vaccination of culling workers could be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bengal Goat is a precious germplasm of West Bengal. Mostly the women (91.3%) of the farming families in West Bengal rear goat. Goat rearing is a subsidiary income source to rural poor along with agriculture. In majority of cases the flock size ranges from 1 to 4 (56%). Male female ratio in adult flock is observed as 1:8 in field condition. The animals are mostly housed along with residential housing (67.1%); houses are mostly kachha type (82.63%) with earthen floor (86.47%) and straw roof (91.33%). All most all the farmers used to graze their goats for feeding. Ponds water is the major source for drinking water (58.14%) of goats. Black Bengal Goats have natural resistant power to many diseases but are vulnerable to cold, water logging situation, diarrhoea, ecto and entro parasitic infestation and respiratory diseases. Under field condition mortality rate is 9.63%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article looks at goat-rearing practices in Tamil Nadu, India as related to the effectiveness of government-sponsorship micro-finance schemes. According to the author, government poverty-reduction programs, such as India's Self-Help-Group (SHG)-Bank-Linkage Program, which encourage or require goat-rearing are not practical because the rural poor must allocate all of their unskilled labor to full-time jobs and thus have no time to take care of goats. It is suggested that this problem is especially prevalent among female-headed households. Details related to grazing and goat sales and prices are presented. Other topics include caste, the labor market for women and children, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Extension professionals can assist potential producers, current producers raising goats and sheep, and those who are expanding their enterprises to understand, participate in, and reap the benefits of the National Animal Identification System (NAIS). Extension professionals can help these small ruminant producers manage tradeoffs between risk and reward of NAIS that will affect production and marketing of animal-derived foods. Working with Extension professionals and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials, these producers can meet the USDA recommendations for the NAIS and enhance their ability to meet consumers' demand for high-quality animal-derived foods while expanding and strengthening their enterprises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A goat project was developed in the province of Cartago, Costa Rica, from September 2007 through January 2009, with the objective of implementing a practical system to determine productive and financial data for dairy production under a given integrated system. This involved the design and application of techniques related to livestock and environmental management, animal resources, feed, agronomy, administration and financial projections. The economic results showed a investment of ¢ 14 305 000 (570 colones per dollar) for a 60 female goat unit with a production cost per liter of milk of ¢ 459, with utilities of 18%. Financially, the projection generated a net present value (NPV) of ¢ 13 700 000, with a lifetime estimated in ten years. Simultaneously, a value of Internal Rate of Return (IR) of 26.23% from the sale of milk was determined. Regarding production costs, the most important item represented the acquisition of the concentrate, with 41% of the total production cost, followed by labor (22%) and the monthly payment for the credit requested (17%). The economic profitability was 15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the provision of services; veterinary services (VS), extension services (ES), marketing services (MS), performance recording (PR), monitoring and evaluation of dairy goat breeding activities (ME) and provision of water (WT) and determines the effectiveness of applying these services in dairy goat production systems in Kenya. A household survey was conducted with 311 farmers participating in three dairy goat projects (Dairy Goat Association of Kenya (DGAK), Higher Education Links-Egerton University Community Dairy Goats Project (HEL-EUCDGP) and Heifer Project International (HPI)) to assess farmers' willingness to pay for provision of these services. Ranking these services revealed that MS was the most important service in priority order for goat keepers. Farmers with and without experience were willing to pay significantly more for provision of VS. Variables such as satisfaction with project activities, system of production, social benefits, flock size, participation in the projects, farm visits, market linkage and information, and experiences on the services significantly influenced willingness to pay (WTP). The decision to pay or not was not necessarily affected by those not willing to pay because of the inter-linkage probabilities with the ability to pay. Projects should take a broader responsibility of providing these services or link farmers to agents to provide the services. The poor farmers should be supported in a cost-sharing manner to avoid undesirable practises or the services left to those who can afford to pay. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lately, several authors have been analyzing the changes in rural areas triggered by globalization. The concepts of new rurality and pluriactivity have allowed progress along these lines, highlighting the new difficulties facing the most vulnerable sectors. This study explores the transformation of peripheral rural territories in Mendoza (Argentina), particularly those that have been thought of as isolated and traditional. This research develops from a case study, combines quantitative and qualitative methods, and takes the production undertakings happening in those lands as units of analysis. Production and economic situations of the past are compared to those in the present. The tendency toward pluriactivity is here considered as a response to the new conditions, and also as an expression of the process of articulation with the capitalist system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major food safety issue confronting federal policymakers is to ensure that consumers can purchase foods acceptably free of microbial contaminants and hazardous chemicals. While these concerns are not new, added dimensions to the problem continually challenge regulators. In most cases, control at the farm level may provide the most cost-effective means of eliminating the pathogens or problems of animal origin. Focusing on the goat industry, this research examines whether goat producers are willing to voluntarily adopt Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) practices. Results reveal a diversified set of preferences, with more than half of the respondents indicating willingness to adopt HACCP practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the meaning of development from a post-development perspective, based on a case study of a goat-keeping project involving a small community of farmers from a rural town in north-east Brazil. The development project was fraught with conflicting views of development as it sought to impose an interventionist, ethnocentric, and modernist view of what was best for the community, even stipulating how the farmers should work together. The modernist interpretation has been criticised on various grounds, but nevertheless continues to condition how the ‘development industry’ defines its values and views its mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional system of goat management is mainly characterised by low survivability and high mortalities of kids, which result in low weaning percentages. High mortality among kids and slow growth among those that survive are the major constraints to production. Weaning percentage is a measure of survivability of kids from birth to weaning. By examining the variables which affect weaning percentages in a communal goat farming system, it should be possible to develop an appropriate extension message to decrease kid mortalities and increase productivity. The aim of this study was to examine the factors that influence the survivability of kids from birth to weaning. The predisposing factors were used to develop extension messages for use by farmers in communal and small-scale systems. The methods in this study were based on participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and farming systems research and extension (FSR/E). Initially 20 farmers were subjected to structured interviews. Two-stage cluster sampling was done where farmers were the primary units and goats were the secondary units. The allocation procedure was based on the purposive selection of goatherds on communal grazing within Jericho (the district falls under North West Province, South Africa). Initially 20 farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Thirteen farmers with 131 does remained in the survey over the long term and were visited once a month over the course of a full year. Body condition score, weighing of kids and collection of faecal samples for evaluation of internal parasites were done. Management was observed and informal discussions conducted during the visits. Monthly precipitation and temperature data was obtained from the Department of Soil, Climate and Water. The parameters that were measured to study the relationship with mortality rates of the kids included: demographics and socio-economics of owners, nutrition, parasites (internal and external), infectious diseases, micro... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author discusses her experiences and reflections on animal health and welfare in organic sheep and goat farming in Sweden. She provides information on how health registration of sheep, veterinary treatment, measurement of lamb growth, milk production and meat inspection are being done in Sweden. She also reports on the highlights of four studies on organic sheep, run by the Swedish Animal Health Service and funded by the Swedish National Board of Agriculture.

In the spring of 1999 in rural Newfoundland, abortions in goats were associated with illness in goat workers. An epidemiologic investigation and a serologic survey were conducted in April 1999 to determine the number of infections, nature of illness, and risk factors for infection. Thirty-seven percent of the outbreak cohort had antibody titers to phase II Coxiella burnetii antigen >1:64, suggesting recent infection. The predominant clinical manifestation of Q fever was an acute febrile illness. Independent risk factors for infection included contact with goat placenta, smoking tobacco, and eating cheese made from pasteurized goat milk. This outbreak raises questions about management of such outbreaks, interprovincial sale and movement of domestic ungulates, and the need for discussion between public health practitioners and the dairy industry on control of this highly infectious organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results are presented of a study of a smallholder goat production system in the Boane district, southern Mozambique. Goat keepers (n = 65) were selected and their goats (Landim breed) (n = 770) were recorded and monitored over two years (1993 - 1995). Goat numbers per household were small (9.7) and raised under a traditional management system. Females outnumbered males and most of the male kids were removed from the flock before nine months of age. Age of first kidding was on average 390 days. Litter sizes varied between 1.44 and 1.87 and the percentage multiple births (54%) corresponded well with reported values. The mortality rate increased proportionally among twins as the number of twin births increased. This study provided a base-line survey of which the information can be used in future projects of this nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Overuse or inappropriate use of antibiotics in agriculture has been implicated in the development of antibiotic resistant bacteria, a significant and growing public health threat. In a previous study, we found that Missouri goats had a higher percentage of antibiotic residues at slaughter than predicted based on the national average, so we undertook this study to understand contributing factors. As farmers are typically the ones administering antibiotics to their animals, we set out to investigate Missouri goat farmers' knowledge and attitudes regarding antibiotics, veterinarians, and antibiotic resistance using qualitative research interview methods. Our aims were to determine circumstances leading to farmers' administration of antibiotics, farmers' decision process resulting in the use of antibiotics, the role of veterinarians, and farmers' perceptions about antibiotic resistance. The following themes emerged: how farmers detect illnesses in individual goats, herd health management, where farmers obtain antibiotics, and farmers' thoughts about antibiotic resistance. Our findings highlighted the need for more emphasis on goat health management during veterinary education and the need for improved working relationships between veterinarians and farmers to promote appropriate antibiotic use and prevent the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Use of low dose, prophylactic antibiotics contributes to the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In one study, goat meat in Missouri was found to have a higher percentage of antibiotic residues at slaughter than the national average, so we attempted to identify factors related to goat production that may contribute to this issue. Using the knowledge, attitude, and behavior (KAB) model, we interviewed 11 Missouri goat farmers about factors affecting antibiotic use. Most of the farmers did not have specific protocols for managing illnesses and only relied on veterinarians for major health issues. Many felt veterinarians lacked knowledge about goat medicine so instead relied on other farmers' or their own experiences for treatment modalities. While most agreed that antibiotic resistance was a concern, only 4 of the 11 indicated that they only used antibiotics when prescribed by the veterinarian. Veterinarians should be relied on and valued for their medical expertise, but they are not always being utilized in this manner. Therefore, veterinary education should emphasize goat health management to a greater extent than it currently does, and soft skills to build collaborative relationships with farmers should be taught to promote preventative health measures and more judicious use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4-H Goat Extravaganza maximizes limited resources to help youth and adults develop knowledge and skills in goat care and management. It capitalizes on the talents and interests of volunteers to efficiently combine a goat-themed art show, team presentation contest, quiz bowl, skillathon, and adult workshop into 1 day. This article outlines the Extravaganza and includes the results of a survey of participants from the program's first 9 years. While the Extravaganza has been effective in meeting most short-term objectives, organizers are exploring ways to increase youth awareness and understanding of career opportunities and current issues in the animal industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]