The global goat population continues to grow and is now over one billion. The number of goats raised primarily for milk production is also growing, due to expanding demand. Most of the world dairy goat production and consumption is in Asia, but a global view of the dairy goat sector reveals important lessons about building successful modern dairy goat industries. The most organized market for goat milk is found in Europe, especially in France. The European goat sector is specialized for milk production, mostly for industrial cheesemaking, while also supporting traditional on-farm manufacturing. Government involvement is significant in sanitary regulation, research, extension, support for local producer organizations, and markets, and ensures safety and quality. Nonetheless, producers are still vulnerable to market fluctuations. New dairy goat industries are developing in countries without a long goat milk tradition, such as China, the United States, and New Zealand, due to rising consumer demand, strong prices, and climate change. The mix of policies, management and markets varies widely, but regardless of the country, the dairy goat sector thrives when producers have access to markets, and the tools and skills to sustainably manage their livestock and natural resources. These are most readily achieved through strong and inclusive producer organizations, access to technical services, and policies that enable the poor and marginalized groups to benefit from increasing demand.

Alfalfa saponins isolated by ethanol extraction and partial acid hydrolysis were intraruminally administered to sheep to investigate the biological activities and nutritional implications in ruminants. Mature wethers fitted with ruminal, duodenal and ileal cannulas were fed a concentrate or roughage diet formulated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic. Microbial fermentation and nutrient degradation in the rumen were reduced by saponins. Total protozoal count in the rumen was reduced 34 and 66% by saponins at levels of 2 and 4% dietary dry matter, respectively. Bacterial nitrogen flow to the duodenum was reduced 20 and 30% in the same sequence. Apparent digestion coefficients of organic matter, hemicellulose and cellulose in the total digestive tract were increased by saponins in sheep fed concentrate diets. Fractional digestion coefficients of organic matter, hemicellulose, cellulose and nitrogen were reduced in the stomach while they were increased in the small intestine by saponins in both diets. Saponins inhibited microbial fermentation and synthesis in the rumen and altered the sites of nutrient digestion in sheep.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract