Overview

Contemporary goat farming reflects both ancient logics and new technologies. Global numbers have grown substantially in recent decades, driven by rising demand for goat meat and milk in Asia and Africa, diaspora markets in Europe and the Americas, and culinary innovation that values distinctive flavors and artisanal products. Production systems span an entire spectrum: nomadic pastoralism, communal grazing, smallholder tethering and cut-and-carry feeding, semi-intensive dairy units, and fully commercial operations with rigorous breeding, biosecurity, and processing infrastructure. Several trends define the current landscape. First, urbanization has created peri-urban dairies that supply fresh goat milk and soft cheeses to metropolitan consumers seeking digestible dairy alternatives or culturally preferred products. These units often rely on purchased forages and agro-industrial byproducts, with controlled housing and milking hygiene. Second, meat-oriented enterprises have expanded in regions where chevon and kid meat command steady demand; they focus on reproductive efficiency, growth rates, feed conversion, and carcass quality. Third, fiber production persists in ecological niches suited to fine underwool and long hair, with specialized herds selected for staple length, micron count, and fleece yield. Breeding strategies have become more purposeful. Recording systems track pedigrees, milk yield, growth, and disease resistance; selected bucks disseminate superior genetics across communities. Artificial insemination and controlled mating improve uniformity and allow rapid dissemination of desired traits without moving entire animals. Genomic tools are increasingly used in advanced programs to accelerate gains in milk solids, fecundity, and parasite resilience. Health management has professionalized. Producers employ preventive protocols for vaccination, strategic deworming guided by fecal egg counts, and integrated parasite management that combines pasture rotation, targeted treatment, and selection for tolerance. Hoof care, mineral supplementation, and mastitis control are routine in well-managed herds. Where climate change shifts disease ecologies, farmers adopt surveillance and adjust stocking rates and movement patterns to maintain herd performance. Value chains are formalizing. Cold-chain logistics for milk, quality standards for cheese, certification for organic or pastoral origin, and branded meat cuts increase returns to efficient producers. Cooperative models help smallholders access inputs, veterinary services, and consistent buyers, while contract farming connects growers to processors who provide feed and technical support. Information technology supports traceability, price discovery, and remote advisory services, extending best practices across regions.

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