Goats

Achieving desired production targets is assisted by developing a breeding program that utilises genetic and reproduction knowledge and technologies.

The objective of a breeding program is to ensure that desirable genes that have been selected are transferred from across generations.

Genetics

Genetics defines the production potential of a goat and using the best available genetics allows producers to potentially improve the goat's contribution to enterprise profitability. Important profit drivers that relate to animal performance are influenced by the genetic make up of the herd.

When selecting goats for the enterprise, producers should focus on what they are trying to achieve.

Reproduction

Reproductive management ensures that the desirable genes that have been selected based on the goat enterprises breeding objectives are transferred from one generation to the next.

Key reproductive events that occur throughout the year in a goat enterprise include joining, pregnancy, birth, lactation and weaning. During this cycle it is important that goat producers are aware of the animal health, welfare and husbandry aspects that impact each stage, particularly nutrition, predation of kids and reproductive diseases.