Jamunapari goat is one of the most popular goats in India. These goats are also known for high milk production and high-quality meat. Farmers feel very happy to have this breed. These goats are reared the most in Uttar Pradesh, India. These goats are known for their adaptability. There is also a lot of economic benefit from raising these goats. Next, we will read in detail about the history, breeding and overall importance of Jamunapari goat in agriculture.
History and Origen
Jamunapari goat was first reared in Etawah district of Uttar Pradesh which is situated on the banks of river Yamuna. Jamunapari goat is named after river Yamuna. This breed of goat is suitable for winters. These goats are famous for high milk and high quality meat. To make them better genetic properties, cross breeding is being done continuously so that more benefits can be obtained.
Physical Characteristics
- Size and Weight- Jamunapari goats are large in size and weigh around 90 kg for males and 45-60 kg for females.
- Physical Quality- They have a unique Roman nose and long hanging ears. These goats are white in color with brown spots on them.
- Lifespan and Adaptability- These goats have a life span of 10-12 years and can adapt easily to all climates. They are mainly found in dry and humid environments.
Breeding and Reproduction
These goats reproduce very well without any problems. Their gestation period is 150 days. These goats can give birth to 1-2 kids at a time. The vagina of male goats matures in 12-15 months while that of females in 8-10 months. To increase the productivity of goats, we must do proper breeding management.
- Jamunapari goats breed mainly during monsoon and winter seasons.
- We should select healthy, clean and superior genetic traits male goats for breeding.
- Natural mating is used more and more in villages. Both natural mating and artificial insemination are considered good.
- Proper nutrition, vaccination and deworming should be used at the right time. These also play an important role in reproduction.
- The baby goats should be fed colostrum within a few hours of birth as it boosts the immunity of the kids.
Milk Production and nutrition value
Jamunapari goats are known for their high milk yield. Their milk is of good quality. Their milk also contains medicinal jaggery which also provides digestion and immunity. It contains good amount of fat and protein. Due to their high nutrition, they get good value. Their milk produces good amount of cheese, butter and other dairy products.
Meat Quality and Economic Importance
These goats weigh around 45-60 kg for females and 90 kg for males, so the meat content is also high. Their meat is tender and has high protein content and better quality. Compared to other breeds, the fat content of these goats is found to be less. There is a great demand for the meat of these goats, due to which farmers are encouraged to rear them.
Feeding and Nutrition
For the Jamunapari goats to be healthy and productive, we must provide them with a balanced diet. We feed the goats in two ways. First, we leave them open in the barn to graze and secondly, we tie them at one place and feed them with proper feed.
(i) Grazing and feeding in the barn
- If we have enough space for goats to graze, we leave them to graze so that they can roam around and eat the grains.
- If we do not have enough space or suitable for grazing, then we tie them in one place and feed them a mixture of green fodder, dry fodder and concentrates.
- Green fodder (lucerne, napier grass, berseem) has a good amount of vitamins and minerals. Dry fodder (husk and grass) helps in digestion. Concentrate (maize, wheat bran, oil cake and pulses) mixture helps in weight gain and milk production.
- We should also feed salt licks to our goats
(ii) Nutritional Requirements as per Growth Stage
- Kid (0-3 month)- Immediately after birth we should give colostrum (milk from the newly born goat) to the baby and then slowly get used to soft grass and starter feed.
- Growing Goat (3-12 month)- As the baby goat grows, we should provide it with protein and minerals to help it grow faster.
- Pregnant and lactating goats- For foetal growth and milk production we should give calcium in proper amount.
(iii) Hydration and and Water management
- 3-5 l of water is required for a healthy adult goat
- Water helps in digestion of food and regulates body temperature, so we must use clean water.
(iv) Feeding Schedule
- In the morning we should feed green fodder and mineral mixture
- In the afternoon we should give dry fodder with extra concentrates if it is pregnant or lactating goat.
- Goats should be grazed in the evening, if there is no space then fresh fodder should be fed.
Disease Management and Health Care
These goats do not fall sick much. These goats are prone to diseases like pneumonia, foot rot, PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants) and parasitic infection. For these, we need to vaccinate our goats. Many vaccination programmes are conducted. We should give deworming tablets at specific times and maintain cleanliness in the place where our goats live.
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Farming Practices and Management
When we rear Jamunapari goats, we may have to face many difficulties so we should follow the following instructions.
- Housing- We should provide good, ventilated and dry housing for keeping goats to avoid infection by parasites.
- Breeding Management- Breeding plays a vital role in getting the benefits of Jamunapari goats. We should breed better females and better males.
- Sustainability- If we want to get more production from goats, we should move towards organic farming and do rotational grazing in organic farming.
Challenges in Rearing Jamunapari Goats
You have read about the benefits of Jamunapari goats above but apart from this, there are many challenges to be faced which are given below.
- High Initial Investment- Jamunapari goats are very costly compared to other goats, hence require high initial investment.
- Disease Susceptibility- They are susceptible to diseases. They need proper vaccination. The goat should be kept in a clean place.
- Market Competition- Jamunapari goat breed is in great demand in the market. It produces more produce than other breeds, hence these goats are a bit costly.
Future Prospects and Conclusion
Jamunapari goats are very beneficial for farmers. The demand for high quality meat and milk is constantly increasing, which Jamunapari goats contribute significantly in fulfilling. These goats play a very important role in livestock farming. These goats are financially beneficial as well as provide us with high quality nutrition, due to which farmers are interested in raising Jamunapari goats.