**2. Goat breeds of South Africa**

In South Africa, there are seven goat breeds that are officially recognized by the Animal Improvement Act No. 62 of 1998, which includes the Angora goat for mohair production, three meat types namely the South African (SA) Boer, Kalahari Red and Savanna breeds and three dairy breeds consisting of the Saanen, Toggenburg and British Alpine. According to historical evidence, the meat breeds originate from indigenous goat breeds believed to have migrated to Southern Africa around 500 AD [3]. The Khoisan, a local tribe, moved with their herds southwards from Northern Botswana down to the Orange River from where two addi‐ tional routes were used to reach the Southern and Western Cape. These goats kept by the local people were described by the Missionary J. Burrow as "handsome goats, speckled like the leopard" [4]. The indigenous goats most likely provided the genetic basis for the development of the current meat goat breeds. In contrast with the goat meat breeds, the dairy breeds have been imported from Europe and the United Kingdom. Besides these recognized goat breeds, South Africa has a large variety of indigenous or unimproved types that contribute meat, hides and milk to smallholders and subsistence farmers [5]. The majority of commercial goat farming takes place in the eastern and northern regions of South Africa where the species is well adapted to the vegetation [2].

**2.2. Meat goats**

and other farming systems today.

extent, enterotoxaemia [8, 10].

The South African Boer goat has the oldest official history with the establishment of the South African Boer Goat Association in 1959 [4]. In the development of goat breeds during the late sixties and early seventies, the Boer goat breeders' society referred to five potential types of Boer goat in South Africa [8]. These included unimproved types such as the ordinary goat, long haired types and polled types that originated from crossbreeding with dairy breeds and native goats. The improved Boer goat was recognized as the desirable type, breed standards were formulated and a number of goat breeders commenced with directional selection and a well‐defined breeding policy that resulted in the modern SA Boer goat found in commercial

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**Figure 1.** A typical South African Angora doe and kid (University of Pretoria).

This breed is characterized by the red color of the head, long ears and a white soft coat (**Figure 2**). A sturdy head with a compressed nose and strong horns that have a gradual back‐ ward curve are favored. The goats have fleshy, well‐developed broad briskets, well‐sprung ribs, broad backs and muscular legs [9]. Mature Boer goat bucks weigh between 110 kg and 135 kg, and does weigh between 90 kg and 100 kg [10, 11]. The SA Boer goat does are known for their good mothering ability and can kid every 7–8 months. Some literature indicates a lower susceptibility to diseases such as blue tongue, prussic acid poisoning and, to a lesser

The origin of the Kalahari Red and Savanna goat breeds is not as well documented and according to available literature probability originated from indigenous goat types [4]. These breeds have only been officially recognized in South Africa in 1990 and 1993, respectively. The

#### **2.1. Angora goats**

The Angora goat was domesticated in Turkey, from where the animals were exported to Europe during the sixteenth century in an attempt to establish a rival mohair industry. The European climate was however not suited to these goats, and South Africa (a British col‐ ony at the time) presented a suitable region for Angora goat production. The first Angora goats were imported to South Africa during 1838, followed by another 3000 goats between 1856 and 1896 [6]. The Karoo and semiarid Eastern Cape region proved to be well suited to the Angora goats, and currently, the mohair industry in South Africa consists of approxi‐ mately 644,000 Angora goats (www.mohair.co.za), most of which are still farmed with in the Eastern Cape.

The Angora Goat Breeders' Society was established in 1892 and is known today as the Angora Ram Breeders. The Angora goat is a relatively small, horned mohair goat with heavy and drooping ears, as shown in **Figure 1**. The hair and body of these goats are white, and an excess of color in the horns, hooves, ears and the skin is not allowed. An Angora goat should have a uniform fleece with regard to length and fineness, with good luster, solid style and good character, and should also be free from kemp or colored fibers [7].

**Figure 1.** A typical South African Angora doe and kid (University of Pretoria).

#### **2.2. Meat goats**

more than 50% of the global mohair clip. The commercial meat goat industry, consisting of the Boer, Savannah and the Kalahari Red breeds makes up 1.3 million goats, with commercial dairy goats being the smallest sector, with approximately 4000 registered dairy goats. The majority (approximately 63%) of South African goats consist of unimproved indigenous veld goats in the noncommercialized agricultural sector and are kept under small‐scale conditions.

In South Africa, there are seven goat breeds that are officially recognized by the Animal Improvement Act No. 62 of 1998, which includes the Angora goat for mohair production, three meat types namely the South African (SA) Boer, Kalahari Red and Savanna breeds and three dairy breeds consisting of the Saanen, Toggenburg and British Alpine. According to historical evidence, the meat breeds originate from indigenous goat breeds believed to have migrated to Southern Africa around 500 AD [3]. The Khoisan, a local tribe, moved with their herds southwards from Northern Botswana down to the Orange River from where two addi‐ tional routes were used to reach the Southern and Western Cape. These goats kept by the local people were described by the Missionary J. Burrow as "handsome goats, speckled like the leopard" [4]. The indigenous goats most likely provided the genetic basis for the development of the current meat goat breeds. In contrast with the goat meat breeds, the dairy breeds have been imported from Europe and the United Kingdom. Besides these recognized goat breeds, South Africa has a large variety of indigenous or unimproved types that contribute meat, hides and milk to smallholders and subsistence farmers [5]. The majority of commercial goat farming takes place in the eastern and northern regions of South Africa where the species is

The Angora goat was domesticated in Turkey, from where the animals were exported to Europe during the sixteenth century in an attempt to establish a rival mohair industry. The European climate was however not suited to these goats, and South Africa (a British col‐ ony at the time) presented a suitable region for Angora goat production. The first Angora goats were imported to South Africa during 1838, followed by another 3000 goats between 1856 and 1896 [6]. The Karoo and semiarid Eastern Cape region proved to be well suited to the Angora goats, and currently, the mohair industry in South Africa consists of approxi‐ mately 644,000 Angora goats (www.mohair.co.za), most of which are still farmed with in

The Angora Goat Breeders' Society was established in 1892 and is known today as the Angora Ram Breeders. The Angora goat is a relatively small, horned mohair goat with heavy and drooping ears, as shown in **Figure 1**. The hair and body of these goats are white, and an excess of color in the horns, hooves, ears and the skin is not allowed. An Angora goat should have a uniform fleece with regard to length and fineness, with good luster, solid style and good

character, and should also be free from kemp or colored fibers [7].

**2. Goat breeds of South Africa**

20 Goat Science

well adapted to the vegetation [2].

**2.1. Angora goats**

the Eastern Cape.

The South African Boer goat has the oldest official history with the establishment of the South African Boer Goat Association in 1959 [4]. In the development of goat breeds during the late sixties and early seventies, the Boer goat breeders' society referred to five potential types of Boer goat in South Africa [8]. These included unimproved types such as the ordinary goat, long haired types and polled types that originated from crossbreeding with dairy breeds and native goats. The improved Boer goat was recognized as the desirable type, breed standards were formulated and a number of goat breeders commenced with directional selection and a well‐defined breeding policy that resulted in the modern SA Boer goat found in commercial and other farming systems today.

This breed is characterized by the red color of the head, long ears and a white soft coat (**Figure 2**). A sturdy head with a compressed nose and strong horns that have a gradual back‐ ward curve are favored. The goats have fleshy, well‐developed broad briskets, well‐sprung ribs, broad backs and muscular legs [9]. Mature Boer goat bucks weigh between 110 kg and 135 kg, and does weigh between 90 kg and 100 kg [10, 11]. The SA Boer goat does are known for their good mothering ability and can kid every 7–8 months. Some literature indicates a lower susceptibility to diseases such as blue tongue, prussic acid poisoning and, to a lesser extent, enterotoxaemia [8, 10].

The origin of the Kalahari Red and Savanna goat breeds is not as well documented and according to available literature probability originated from indigenous goat types [4]. These breeds have only been officially recognized in South Africa in 1990 and 1993, respectively. The

Kalahari Red has a dark red coat color and fully pigmented body that provides the advantage of high UV radiation tolerance. The Savanna goat is white in color and has short kempy hair with a black skin, horns, nose and udder [11]. These goats are also known to have well‐mus‐ cled forequarters with a long neck for easy browsing. Typical Kalahari Red and Savanna goats

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In **Table 1**, a summary is provided of descriptive measurements analyzed for the three com‐ mercial meat goat breeds. These breeds have been fully commercialized with official struc‐ tures such as individual breed societies and well‐defined breed standards. They are the main contributors to the official goat meat produced in South Africa [12] and are recognized for

South African indigenous goats are mostly characterized based on color variations and phe‐ notypic characteristics such as ear length and horn shape. There is virtually no distinct breed identification, and populations are often named or identified according to the geographical region where they are kept. Various types are known, such as the Pedi, Nguni and Xhosa Lop ear ecotypes [1]. These uncharacterized veld‐type goats generally have small body frames (mature females weigh approximately 40–50 kg) and low carcass yields. The goats are multi‐ purpose and are used for meat, hides and sometimes even milk for younger children, mostly

The indigenous veld‐type goats have been subjected to limited selection and are largely unim‐ proved genotypes. They have however contributed to the development of the local meat‐type goats such as the Boer goat [4] through crossbreeding. The indigenous types vary in size and

are shown in **Figures 3** and **4**, respectively.

their superior growth and carcass traits [1].

**2.3. Indigenous veld goats and Tankwa goats**

in small farming systems and or for household food production.

**Figure 4.** A herd of Savanna goats with primarily white coat color (University of Pretoria).

**Figure 2.** Typical South African Boer goats with white body and red head and neck (University of Pretoria).

**Figure 3.** A Kalahari Red goat with the characteristic uniform red coat color (University of Pretoria).

Kalahari Red has a dark red coat color and fully pigmented body that provides the advantage of high UV radiation tolerance. The Savanna goat is white in color and has short kempy hair with a black skin, horns, nose and udder [11]. These goats are also known to have well‐mus‐ cled forequarters with a long neck for easy browsing. Typical Kalahari Red and Savanna goats are shown in **Figures 3** and **4**, respectively.

In **Table 1**, a summary is provided of descriptive measurements analyzed for the three com‐ mercial meat goat breeds. These breeds have been fully commercialized with official struc‐ tures such as individual breed societies and well‐defined breed standards. They are the main contributors to the official goat meat produced in South Africa [12] and are recognized for their superior growth and carcass traits [1].

#### **2.3. Indigenous veld goats and Tankwa goats**

**Figure 2.** Typical South African Boer goats with white body and red head and neck (University of Pretoria).

22 Goat Science

**Figure 3.** A Kalahari Red goat with the characteristic uniform red coat color (University of Pretoria).

South African indigenous goats are mostly characterized based on color variations and phe‐ notypic characteristics such as ear length and horn shape. There is virtually no distinct breed identification, and populations are often named or identified according to the geographical region where they are kept. Various types are known, such as the Pedi, Nguni and Xhosa Lop ear ecotypes [1]. These uncharacterized veld‐type goats generally have small body frames (mature females weigh approximately 40–50 kg) and low carcass yields. The goats are multi‐ purpose and are used for meat, hides and sometimes even milk for younger children, mostly in small farming systems and or for household food production.

The indigenous veld‐type goats have been subjected to limited selection and are largely unim‐ proved genotypes. They have however contributed to the development of the local meat‐type goats such as the Boer goat [4] through crossbreeding. The indigenous types vary in size and

**Figure 4.** A herd of Savanna goats with primarily white coat color (University of Pretoria).


The Tankwa goat refers to a population of feral goats that are found in the Northern Cape. Although they have been known to roam the Tankwa National Park for at least 80 years, they have only been identified and studied as a distinct population over the past decade. Their cur‐ rent population size is estimated at approximately 200 goats [1]. These goats have survived and reproduced in one of the harshest climatic regions of South Africa with regard to tem‐

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Dairy goats were introduced to South Africa at the turn of the twentieth century, originat‐ ing primarily from Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The SA Mich Goat Breeders' Society was formed in 1958 but formal milk recording for dairy goats only started in the 1981/82 production year as the number of lactation records was low and variable before then [13]. Originally four breeds were officially recognized in South Africa, namely the Saanen, Toggenburg, British Alpine and an Anglo‐Nubian Swiss composite [29]. Currently, the milk goat breeds include Saanen, Toggenburg and British Alpine breeds and crosses between these breeds are often used in commercial milk goat production systems [29]. The Saanen breed was the first milk goat breed to be imported to South Africa in 1898 [13] and is known for its high milk yield. The Toggenburg and British Alpine were imported during the early 1900s. These two breeds with dark pigmentation are favored for their adaptability to the climatic challenges of South Africa that includes high average temperatures and UV intensity. The Toggenburg furthermore also produces milk with a higher butterfat compared to the Saanen

Genetic improvement of small stock in South Africa can largely be attributed to the research performed over many decades in official research and prestige flocks. The results from the research flocks set the trends for selection and breeding programs, while the prestige flocks confirmed the value of applying a scientific approach to the farming community [14]. Performance recording was introduced for small stock, including goats, as early as 1956 by the Department of Agricultural and Technical services. Since then, production systems and environments have evolved and new selection tools became available for additional measure‐ ments, e.g., for fiber traits [15]. Advancements in the statistical methodologies for genetic evaluations made estimated breeding value possible for the breeds where sufficient animal

The genetic improvement of goats has been slow and less spectacular compared to sheep and other livestock species in South Africa. Of the goat breeds, most of the genetic improvement took place in the Angora goat due to the high economic value of mohair and South Africa being one of the largest producers of mohair in the world [16]. The poor participation in the National Small Stock Improvement Scheme (NSIS) by the meat and dairy goat breeders lim‐ its the potential genetic improvement, as limited phenotypic and pedigree recording occurs. Several factors play a role in the relative poor participation of SA goat breeders in animal

perature and vegetation and hold potential for their unique adaptive traits.

[13], which is important for production of cheese.

and pedigree recording has been performed [14].

**3. Quantitative selection and genetic improvement**

**2.4. Dairy goats**

**Table 1.** Description of body measurements (cm) recorded for Boer goats, Kalahari Red and Savanna goats (adapted from Ref. [11]).

are often promoted as having special adaptive characteristics, including a higher tolerance for tick‐borne diseases compared to the commercial goat breeds [8, 10]. In **Figure 5**, a typical South African veld goat is shown.

**Figure 5.** A herd of South African unimproved veld goats (Rauri Alcock).

The Tankwa goat refers to a population of feral goats that are found in the Northern Cape. Although they have been known to roam the Tankwa National Park for at least 80 years, they have only been identified and studied as a distinct population over the past decade. Their cur‐ rent population size is estimated at approximately 200 goats [1]. These goats have survived and reproduced in one of the harshest climatic regions of South Africa with regard to tem‐ perature and vegetation and hold potential for their unique adaptive traits.

#### **2.4. Dairy goats**

are often promoted as having special adaptive characteristics, including a higher tolerance for tick‐borne diseases compared to the commercial goat breeds [8, 10]. In **Figure 5**, a typical

**Table 1.** Description of body measurements (cm) recorded for Boer goats, Kalahari Red and Savanna goats (adapted

**Body measurements in cm (least square means ± SE)**

Height (H) 56.5a ± 0.5 54.1a ± 0.5 55.7a ± 0.5 Length (L) 68.2ab ± 0.8 69.8a ± 0.8 64.9b ± 0.7 Depth (D) 26.4ab ± 0.3 27.1a ± 0.3 24.9b ± 0.3 Heart girth (HG) 90.3ab ± 1 95.3a ± 1 86.5b ± 1 Hock length (HL) 28.3a ± 0.5 27.7a ± 0.5 23.5b ± 0.5 Head width (HW) 7.7a ± 0.2 6.6b ± 0.3 5.6c ± 0.2 Head length (HL) 17.2a ± 0.3 15.7b ± 0.2 15.8ab ± 0.2 Neck circumference (N) 48.3a ± 4 42.5ab ± 3.8 37.7ab ± 3.7 Tail length (TL) 12.2ab ± 0.3 13.2a ± 0.3 13.3a ± 03 Pelvic width (PW) 13.8a ± 0.3 11.1b ± 0.3 11.4b ± 0.3 Pelvic length (PL) 19.7a ± 0.4 20.5a ± 0.3 19.1a ± 0.3 Ear length (EL) 21.4a ± 0.3 19.2b ± 0.2 19.5b ± 0.2

**Boer goat Kalahari Red Savanna**

South African veld goat is shown.

from Ref. [11]).

24 Goat Science

**Figure 5.** A herd of South African unimproved veld goats (Rauri Alcock).

Dairy goats were introduced to South Africa at the turn of the twentieth century, originat‐ ing primarily from Switzerland and the United Kingdom. The SA Mich Goat Breeders' Society was formed in 1958 but formal milk recording for dairy goats only started in the 1981/82 production year as the number of lactation records was low and variable before then [13]. Originally four breeds were officially recognized in South Africa, namely the Saanen, Toggenburg, British Alpine and an Anglo‐Nubian Swiss composite [29]. Currently, the milk goat breeds include Saanen, Toggenburg and British Alpine breeds and crosses between these breeds are often used in commercial milk goat production systems [29]. The Saanen breed was the first milk goat breed to be imported to South Africa in 1898 [13] and is known for its high milk yield. The Toggenburg and British Alpine were imported during the early 1900s. These two breeds with dark pigmentation are favored for their adaptability to the climatic challenges of South Africa that includes high average temperatures and UV intensity. The Toggenburg furthermore also produces milk with a higher butterfat compared to the Saanen [13], which is important for production of cheese.
