This article will only cover goat breeds commonly found in the Philippines.
Local goats are primarily raised for
There is also a growing interest in the use of goat milk in the cosmetics industry (soap, lotion).
The goat is being heralded as an alternative and healthy source of milk and meat in the Philippines. The goat is considered by many as the poor man's cow because children and old folks who cannot afford cow's milk take goat's milk instead. Worldwide, more people eat the meat and drink the milk of goats than any other single animal. Most goat meat producers are also the consumers.
There are two varieties of Philippine Goats raised for meat production. The coarse haired type is cream, tan or light brown and usually polled. The fine hair variety is black or brown and may have a white belt. This variety is usually horned. These goats are thought to have originated from the Katjang breed
Generally, the breed are small, stocky and low-set. Milk production is just enough for its kids. It weighs 20 to 30 kilograms at mature age.
More information here.
Anglo-Nubian or Nubian A tropical breed, originating from Nubia in northeastern Africa, that was successfully developed in England. Its prominent features include drooping and pendulous ears, and brown or a combination of brown and black hair. It has a long body that usually weighs 70-90 kilograms at mature age and produces 1-2 liters of milk daily.
They're not as prolific milk producers as the Swiss Saanens but their milk is valued for its high butterfat content.
They are considered as dual-purpose goats; bred for dairy and slaughter for meat consumption.
More information here.
Originally from South Africa (where the word “boer” means farm), it is a horned breed bred for its meat with lop ears and distinct white body color and usually reddish brown or black from rear legs to the head. This breed weighs an average of 90 kilograms at mature age.
The Boer goat is being used very effectively in South Africa in combination with cattle due to its browsing ability and limited impact on the grass cover. Producing weaning rates in excess of 160% the Boer goat doe is a low maintenance animal that has sufficient milk to rear a kid that is early maturing. A mature Boer Goat buck weighs between 110-135 kg and does between 90 and 100 kg.
It is also known as: Africander, Afrikaner, South African common 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 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.
The breed is sensitive to excessive sunlight and performs best in cooler conditions. The provision of shade is essential and tan skin is preferable.
More information here.
Toggenburg GoatThe Toggenburg is another Swiss dairy goat from Toggenburg Valley of Switzerland at Obertoggenburg. They are also known to be the oldest known dairy goat breed.
This breed is medium size, sturdy, vigorous, and alert in appearance. Slightly smaller than the other Alpine breeds, the does weight at least 55kg.
The hair is short or medium in length, soft, fine, and lying flat. Its color is solid varying from light fawn to dark chocolate with no preference for any shade. Distinct white markings are as follows: white ears with dark spot in middle; two white stripes down the face from above each eye to the muzzle; hind legs white from hocks to hooves; forelegs white from knees downward with a dark lien (band) below knee acceptable; a white triangle on either side of the tail; white spot may be present at root of wattles or in that area if no wattles are present. Varying degrees of cream markings instead of pure white acceptable, but not desirable. The ears are erect and carried forward. Facial lines may be dished or straight, never roman.
Toggenburgs perform best in cooler conditions. They are noted for their excellent udder development and high milk production, and have an average fat test of 3.7 percent.
More information here.
AlpinesThe French-Alpine is a breed of goat that originated in the Alps. The goats of Alpine type that were brought to the United States from France where they had been selected for much greater uniformity, size, and production than was true of the goats that were taken from Switzerland to France.
Size and production rather than color pattern have been stressed in the development of the French-Alpine. No distinct color has been established, and it may range from pure white through shades of fawn, gray, brown, black, red, bluff, piebald, or various shadings or combinations of these colors. Both sexes are generally short haired, but bucks usually have a roach of long hair along the spine. The beard of males is also quite pronounced. The ears in the Alpine should be of medium size, fine textured, and preferably erect.
The French-Alpine is a larger and more rangy goat and more variable in size than are the Swiss breeds. Mature females should stand not less than 30 inches at the withers and should weigh not less than 135 pounds. Males should stand from 34 to 40 inches at the withers and should weigh not less than 170 pounds. French-Alpine females are excellent milkers and usually have large, well-shaped udders with well-placed teats of desirable shape.
The French-alpine is also referred to as the Alpine Dairy goat and registration papers for this dairy goat use both designations and they are synonymous. These are hardy, adaptable animals that thrive in any climate while maintaining good health and excellent production. The face is straight. A roman nose, Toggenburg color and markings, or all-white is discriminated against.
The appropriately named Kiko goat was purpose-bred in New Zealand for meat production – the Maori word “kiko” meaning flesh or meat. The developers of the breed were Garrick and Anne Batten of Nelson in the northern South Island, and they developed the Kiko from feral goats that had been liberated or had escaped over the last hundred years or so of European settlement. These feral goats could be found in many places throughout the country, and although they were hardy, they were relatively small and produced little meat or milk.
The Kiko breed was established by crossbreeding selected feral does with Anglo-Nubian, Toggenburg and Saanen bucks, with further cross-breeding in the second and third generations. After four generations of selective breeding – selection being on the grounds of survivability and growth rate in a hill country environment – a dramatic improvement in live weight and animal performance was achieved. By 1986 the Kiko breed was established and the herd was closed to further cross-breeding.
More information here.