Goat meat production in Thailand
1988
Saithanoo, S. (University of Queensland, St. Lucia (Australia). Dept. of Farm Animal Medicine and Production) | Milton, J.T.B. (Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai (Thailand). Dept. of Animal Science)
Goat production in Thailand is primarily for meat. Approximately 88% of the total goat population is found in villages of the southern region where the Thai Muslim population is relatively high. Goats are traditionally integrated with agricultural systems such as fishing, rice growing, and rubber, oil palm, or fruit tree plantations and are raised by small-scale farmers. Although the flock size in southern Thailand is small (5 head per family), the contribution of goats to the farm cash income is relatively high, especially in a rice growing system (approximately 56% per year). More than 65% of goat owners employ a tethering system; a cut and carry system is practiced only in the wet season. Cash inputs, concentrates, mineral supplements, and medical treatments are minimal. Village goats are mainly indigenous with average mature body weights of 23 and 22 kg for males and females, respectively. Age at first kidding was 12.4 months. An average kidding rate for all age groups is 190%, but the weaning rate is only 135%. A high mortality rate of 25-37% in young kids is mainly caused by accidents and diseases. Under improved conditions, body weights of village goats increased by 21-55%; the kidding rate is somewhat lower (147%) and the weaning rate is higher (146%). However, the improved conditions have little effect on dressing percentage of the native goats (45.8 vs 45.0%).
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