A Brief Update on the Challenges and Prospects for Goat Production in Mexico

Abstract

In Mexico, information on goat production is scarce and documenting goat production challenges and future perspectives could be of great value, not only for Latin America, but also for international players – including those from farms, industry, and academia. Therefore, the objective of this review is to provide current knowledge on goat production systems in Mexico and discuss current challenges and future perspectives for this animal production sector. In Mexico, more than 70% of goats are produced under extensive production systems in arid and semi-arid areas and roughly 25% are produced in intensive or semi-intensive systems. Main breeds are French Alpine, Saanen, Toggenburg, LaMancha, Nubian, Boer, and their crosses. The main challenges are correlated at different levels, where economic, social, and environmental issues are mixed and are closely associated with goat health and welfare. Newly available farming technologies could be an option that should be explored. Mexican goat farming systems will need to look at the animal, social, and environmental factors to promote sustainable production systems.

Multiplex assay for the simultaneous detection of antibodies against small ruminant lentivirus, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, and Brucella melitensis in goats

“…Thus, this technique can be used for epidemiological research and surveillance and the establishment of control and eradication programs. Furthermore, the diagnostic panel could be increased by including other antigens such as Chlamydia abortus, causal agent of enzootic abortion, another disease known for generating economic losses among goat producers [1]. Using a multiple diagnostic panels that includes more analytes, costs for producers would be reduced, because different diseases could be monitored.…”

“…Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infections, brucellosis, and caprine paratuberculosis (PTb) cause substantial farming and economic losses in goat production systems [1][2][3]. SRLV causes a persistent lentiviral infection in goats that has multiple clinical presentations affecting both kids and adults within a herd.…”

Influence of goat management systems on hematological, oxidative stress profiles, and parasitic gastrointestinal infection

“…The study was conducted at the Institute of Veterinary Technology, Agricultural Technology, Kalasin University. Eighteen male Thai native goats aged 3 months, all from the farm at Kalasin University, with similar body weight (13.18 ± 2.23 kg; mean ± standard deviation) were divided into three groups (six goats per group): (1) The group raised by natural release or the free-range model, which allowed the goats to feed themselves naturally (FREE), (2) the group with the semi-intensive model, which was raised in houses since 6 pm-6:59 am and on the ground between 7 am and 5:59 pm with a standard diet (SEMI), and (3) the group kept in a cage (1 goat/m 2 ), which was raised within a barn all the time by providing water and food inside the stall which had a raised and sloped stable floor to maintain health (BARN) [3][4][5].…”

“…It allows goats to browse alongside road verges, empty paddy fields, ample uncultivated areas, and use public lands [ 3 ]. With the semi-free-range system, the goat forage in the grazing area, but the herd returns to the shelter in the evening and is kept in small hutches overnight for protection [ 4 ]. In the intensive system, goats are continuously confined to housing with limited access to land.…”

Animal welfare in Mexican poultry and livestock production at a glance

“…A similar situation occurs in small ruminants, with the special case of dairy sheep and goats, where there is a vast research area to develop. (6) Ley Federal de Sanidad Animal is the top legal framework for farm animals in Mexico. Although it does requirements for animal management practices, its definition of animal welfare and its interpretation differ significantly from those in other national and international regulations.…”