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“Goats can Yield Elephant returns”
Her Majesty- Indlovukazi
Champions the Swaziland Goat Value Chain
By Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda
20 October 2011. Swaziland
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FANRPAN Food Security Policy Leadership Awards
Recognizing African Success
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Her Majesty, Queen Mother Indlovukazi Ntombi of the Kingdom of Swaziland
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ComparisonAge Swazi Matebele Kalahari
1st kidding 301 days 300 days 220 days
Kidding interval 268 days 311 days 243 days
Litter size 1.18 1.19 2
Birth weight 1.9kg 3kg 3.5 kg
Mature weight 25kg 30kg
45-60kg
45kg (12 month)
75-115kg
Mortality rate 30% 49% Low
Commercial off-take 60% - -
Domestic Off-take 33% - -
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The Name: Kalahari Red
• Their name is derived from their red coat and the
Kalahari Desert in South Africa.
• The dominant vegetation: • grasses,
• thorny shrubs, and
• Acacia trees
• Can survive long drought
periods of more than ten
months every year
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Brief History
• The Kalahari Red is regarded as an indigenous goat breed originating from southern Africa
• Was recognized as a landrace breed in 1998
• Now with an established breeder’s organization
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Purpose of Kalahari Red Goat• They are generally used in meat production
• Provides a leaner protein source than beef, lamb, chicken or pork.
Meat Types:• Chevon is the meat from goats that were 6 to 9 months of age at slaughter.
• Mature goat meat comes from animals above 1 year of age.
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The Breed Characteristics• Have the ability to thrive in varied and poor conditions
• Innately hardy and naturally adaptable
• Are much less susceptible to disease and parasite
infestations than other breeds
• Excellent mobility allows them to walk far in search of
food and water
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Kalahari Red Matured Bucks
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Kalahari Red Matured Doe
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Kids at different ages
4 weeks old 1 Year old
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Growth & Carcass Weight
• The average weight of a buck is:• as much as 115kg,
• while does reach 75kg.
• Kids grow fast. Normally, young
kids show weight gains of 1.5kg
per week, with some even
exceeding 400g per day.
• Dressing percentage ranged from
38.8 per cent to 49.2 per cent and
averaged 43.1 per cent.
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Colour
• A uniform, solid red colour, with all the unique advantages that this brings
• Their earthy colour provides a good camouflage that protects them from predators
• Able to endure heat and strong sunshine
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Kalahari Red Genetics
• Blood tests and genetic distance testing showed:
– Is a separate breed
– Is not related to any other South African goat
– a condition stipulated for the breed to be
registered
• Ewes are fertile and produce plenty of milk
• Have excellent maternal instincts
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Maternal Ability
"the Kalahari does are great mothers, that's for sure. We have never had any
trouble when they are kidding, and they have that much milk it makes you
wonder if you shouldn't start a dairy and milk them"
• They have exemplary maternal instincts
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Reproduction
• They breed all year round, and will kid three times in two years.
• The normal breeding season is during the fall of the year when the day length is shorter.
• The heat (oestrus) period averages 21 days.
• The doe will be in “standing heat” (be receptive to the buck) anywhere from 12 to 48 hours.
• The gestation length of a goat is approximately 5 months or 150 days.
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• Breeders tend to select specifically for twins, which are normally of
equal strength.
• Ewes have excellent maternal instincts, and lamb right in the veld
and raise their kids there.
• No labourers are needed to assist ewes to find their young.
Exceptional Twinning Characteristics
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• To prevent kid mortalities as a result of an inability to suck, breeders
select specifically for well-developed and properly attached teats.
• Generally, newborn kids are strong and have a strong urge to suck.
• They herd well, and animals flock together.
Kid Survival &Behaviour
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Goat Profit Framework
Profit/EnterpriseR/kg/ha/year
Profit/RegionR/Region
Profit/CommunityR/Community
Growth
Kg/hd/yr
Reprod
%
Deaths
%
Throughput
Kg/ha/year
Marketing
Health
Costs
R/kgManagement
Price
R/kg
Profit Income Costs= -
= x - CostsThroughputPriceProfit
Genetics
Nutrition
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Commercialization
• Commercial meat goat production
should be based on four primary
factors:
– adaptability to the environments;
– reproductive rate;
– growth rate; and
– carcass value.
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Market• The meat goat industry in southern Africa is built
around ethnic demand for the product.– derived from various religious and social traditions
– It is important to familiarize yourselves with the customs, holidays and preferences (type and weight of the slaughter goat or carcass) of their ethnic clientele
• There are three other niche markets for goats: – Markets serving health conscience consumers - goat meat is low in fat
and cholesterol
– Restaurants that feature ethnic foods or feature goat meat
– Export market (especially the Middle East)
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Overall Advantages
• In SA they are bred in harsh conditions, arid and semi-desert areas.
• The outstanding qualities of these goats – hardiness, colour, size and maternal instincts were the reason for starting this breed.
• They feed on a wide variety of plants and are resistant to disease and parasites
• The Kalahari Reds is a popular choice in areas where farming is less labour intensive.
• A further bonus is lean meat with an excellent taste and texture.
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Conclusion
• Breeders who are interested in obtaining breeding
material must ascertain that both the animals and
the breeder are registered, and that the animals are
also Studbook registered.
– http://www.kalaharired.net/
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Pledges of Support
• Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network
(FANRPAN)
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
• National Emergent Red Meat Producers Organization, South Africa
• FANRPAN to work with the United Nations Food Agriculture
Organization (FAO) to approach:
– International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
– World Vision International
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Thank You
