Trends in efficient dairy goat production in Europe

摘要

Management is in many cases still the limited factor in the dairy goat enterprise, andrnimprovement of skills and new technology is an ongoing process for the owner or manager ofrnthe herd. In Europe were commercial milk production of goats has been introduced withoutrngovernment intervention, subsidies and market regulation, management qualities have alwaysrnplayed a very important role. During the last decennia the number of goats per farm and thernmilk production per goat has been increased. However, some outbreak of serious diseases didrnhave great influence on the acceptance of intensive commercial goat farming by society,rnespecial in the Netherlands. With the demand of goat milk and goat milk products growing allrnover the world, durability and environmental qualities are very important factors for thernindividual producer as well as for the whole sector. The consumer wants high quality reliablernproducts. The main goat milk producing countries in Europe have encountered differentrnmanagement problems, but with an improved health programme and efficient milk productionrnper goat, are ready for the future.