Technical-productive parameters and typology of traditional goat raising systems in a dry region

Abstract

The objective aim of this work was to determine the technical parameters and describe the diversity of the traditional goat production systems, in a dry region (Dpto. Quebrachos-Santiago del Estero). This investigation was orientated toward measurement of the productivity of the herd from individual variables such as sex, age and some productive and reproductive events relevant to goat production in a single cycle. The data were obtained from a random sample composed of four small enterprises known as Emprendimientos Productivos Asociativos (EPAs), located at different sites, which included 29 rural producers, with 1687 goats, representing 50% of the total of farmer producers in the EPAs and 5% of the total of goat farms in the department. Once the parameters were identified, a typology was constructed using Cluster analysis and two systems of production were identified: 1) farmers who specialize in producing young meat goats and 2) farmers who produce both goats and bovines. This study can serve as a base for further evaluations to characterize the commercial scale of goats production and its possible projections