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Generally, the effect of upgrading
through the infusion of superior breeder bucks
to an existing stock signifi cantly improved the
quality of offspring and resulted in bigger size
and heavier kids in the focal sites.
Apparently, these results are complimented
with technology options adopted by
farmer-partners. These technologies are the
provision of housing or improvement of housing
facilities, stall feeding, strategic deworming,
concentrate supplementation, and the application
of other important management practices
on goat production systems.
Statistical analyses revealed signifi -
cant differences between the focal and the control
sites in relation to birth weights, weaning
weights and slaughter weights.
Results show that mortality rate was
45% in the Control sites. The cause of mortality
rate was mainly due to the effect of diarrhea
and pneumonia. Other causes of mortalities include
weakness at birth. Mortality rates (7%) in
the focal sites were lower compared to that of
the control sites of the RED project.
Data on kidding interval is not yet included
due to insuffi cient information generated
as of this report. However, an initial data shows
that breeder does get in-heat and are rebred
earlier than before as observed by some farmers
which can be traced due to the presence
or availability of breeder bucks at all times.
The over-all improvement in the management
systems from traditional to innovative practices
is clearly manifested in the performance of
goats.
n= number of observations; *
Signifi cant: AN=Anglo-Nubian; B=Boer
Table 4. Performance of Experimental Goats in the Focal Site by Bloodline (N x B; Upgrades x
B; Upgrades x AN x Boer)
Organizational and Enterprise Development
Formation of Goat Raisers Association
One of the expected outputs of the RED project
is to empower the project’s farmer-partners
in the operation and management of
goat-based enterprises. As revealed in the
results of the FGD, farmers agreed to organize
themselves for purposes of marketing
of their products. However, they still believe
that as backyard goat raisers, it is more effective
and effi cient to produce goats by individual
raiser. The RED project focal sites have organized
by themselves as goat raisers/producers
association and named “Echague Goat Raisers
Association”. The formation of the association
shows form a part of the project activities
to empower the project’s farmer-partners
who will operate the production systems and
manage the enterprise. It was form in order to
J.N. Nayga, et. al
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