Goat management systems in Bulathkohupitiya veterinary range

Abstract

The main objective of the present study was to identify the prospects and constraints to improve the economic productivity of goat herds in Bulathkohupitiya veterinary range. A survey was conducted using 82 farmers from two different management systems, namely intensive and extensive management systems. Data on religion of farmers, education level of farmers, herd size, herd composition, birth weight, slaughter weight, slaughter age, breeds, feeding, and cost and returns of raising goats were collected over a period of 3 months. Data were analyzed using the statistical software SAS®. The results of the survey indicated that almost all farmers in the area considered goat farming as a part time business. Women played a major role in goat farming in the area, including feeding and management of goats. Goat farming is a traditional activity in Hindu and Muslim communities, where 92.8% of Hindus contributed to mutton industry. Between the two management systems, the average herd size of extensive management systems (13.1 AU/farm) was significantly greater (p<0.05) than intensive systems (6.8 AU/farm). The results revealed that birth weight, slaughter weight and growth rate under intensive management system were significantly greater (p<0.05) compared to extensive system. The average monthly profit was significantly lower (p<0.05) under intensive management system compared to extensive management system because of high costs in feeding and labour involvement in intensive system. Therefore, it can be concluded that goat farming under extensive management system was more profitable compared to intensive management system in Bulathkohupitiya Veterinary Range. Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 26 (3): 441 – 447 (2015)

Keywords

• goat management systems, herd characteristics, mutton production