MATLHE Imports Goats To Improve Local Goat Stock Quality

The Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Lands, Housing and the Environment, has taken measures to improve the quality and quantity of goat meat on the island.

Through the Veterinary Division, the ministry has imported five boer goats.

The animals which include four half-bred female boer from Antigua and one pure-bred from Florida arrived on Friday, September 21, and were weighed and tagged on Monday.

Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Selvyn Maloney explained that the introduction of this particular breed of goats will speed up the waiting time for market ready goat meat. 

In an effort to integrate the new breed into the market, Dr. Maloney said they plan to offer a stud service from the Ministry’s farm.  

The Chief Veterinary Officer also noted that once the female goats on the farm begin to reproduce, the Ministry will keep a parent stock of about 20 to 30.

The Boer goat is a breed goat that was developed in South Africa in the early 1900s for meat production.   

Adult Boer bucks on average weigh from 250 to 300 lbs and adult Does generally weigh between 200 to 240 lbs.