The Boer goat breed originated in South Africa after rigorous selective breeding. This goat breed has gained the incredible attention of goat breeders worldwide.
What is so special about the Boer goat? When it comes to goat breeds in South Africa for goat meat production the Boer breed stands for its improved meat quality and high feed conversion ratio to meat.
What is Boer Goat?
The Boer goat, also known as the South African Boerbok, was a breed developed in the Eastern Cape region of South Africa beginning around 1920. Breeders selectively chose goats with good meat production qualities and the ability to thrive in the thorny shrublands that characterize the area.
As a result, the Boer goat is now an important meat breed that has been exported to goat farming regions across the globe. Intercrossing Boer goats with local breeds has been a popular method for improving meat yields and hardiness traits in other meat goat stocks.
Qualities of Boer Goat Breeds
Let’s look at the characteristics of the goat breed and why goat breeders in South Africa and across the globe prefer them.
1. Hardiness
Hardiness in goats refers to how well a breed can withstand weather conditions. This breed is highly recommended especially when you run an extensive goat farming system.
2. Quick Growth
Rapid growth is one quality every goat farmer looks for in every goat breed. The Boer has high feed conversion efficiency into meat. These goats do not take long to put on weight when fed well.
3. Good Mothering Abilities
The goat breed displays great maternal abilities in taking care of its kids. Female Boer goats produce enough milk for kids. This helps them to grow rapidly.
4. High Fertility
The Boer brees have proven to have a high rate of fertility in kidding. With improved genetics, this goat breed fertility expectations exceeds 100% making it a great option for breeding.
Boer goat disadvantages
As many benefits, the Boer breed can serve any breeder, but there are some disadvantages worth knowing to put measures in place.
- The Boer breed is susceptible to diseases like respiratory disease, and parasitic infections.
- They require more attention and supervision.
- An extensive system will require complete fencing of the field. Boer goats are inquisitive and likely to escape.
- Boer goats rearing requires special skills.
The Boer goat South Africa industry is expanding and creating a larger network of goat breeders and farmers globally. If you wish to join to unlock more skills in goat farming. You need to take their courses in goat farming for beginners in South Africa and get to know more about the Boer breed.
Visit https://www.boergoats.co.za/ to take a course online or in-person to become an expert in the goat farming business.
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