Field day shows how Boer bucks boost rangeland goatmeat
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Goat producers and breeders from across Australia will be able to discover the latest industry developments at the Bushley Goat Industry Field Day near Wilcannia on November 4.
NSW Department of Primary Industries livestock officer, Trudie Atkinson, said the field day would showcase the growing rangeland (bush) goat industry and highlight opportunities for Boer goat breeders.
“Results from a two-year trial to investigate Boer buck performance and boost goatmeat production in pastoral areas of western NSW will be of interest to both producers and stud breeders,” Ms Atkinson said.
“Boer bucks from studs in south-east Queensland and NSW were selected to gauge their adaptation to rangeland environments and the optimal age for their introduction.
“In the second phase of the trial 50 bucks were selected for their performance and mated with 1000 rangeland does to explore the implementation of a managed joining program.”
The Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) producer initiated research and development trial aims to lift survival rates of Boer bucks in the west and develop management practices to improve kidding percentages to reach at least 125 per cent.
Working closely with the Boer Goat Breeders Association of Australia (BGBAA) and local graziers, researchers plan to take the industry closer to meeting the unprecedented global demand for goatmeat.
Rangelands goat producer, Greg Church, said the infusion of Boer goat genes promised to deliver new domestic and export markets.
“We need the Boer goat genes to get a look-in. The cross-bred goats offer more options and open huge market opportunities,” Mr Church said.
“Goat breeders will be able to see how Boer goats perform in the west at the field day.”
The field day at Mr Church’s ‘Bushley Station’ will also highlight the latest information and innovations for the goat industry with presentations from the MLA, BGBAA and Buronga Organics on the industry’s current outlook, value-adding, production and marketing.
Catering supplied by Buronga Organics will include a range of goatmeat dishes.
Currently Australia is the largest exporter of goatmeat which is the most popular meat in the world.
For more information or to register for the field day, before November 1, contact Trudie Atkinson, ph (08) 8088 9339 or trudie.atkinson@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Digital photographs available from bernadette.york@dpi.nsw.gov.au
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