PRODUCTIVE AND ZOOSANITARY CONDITIONS OF GOAT PRODUCTION IN TAMAULIPAS HIGHLANDS, MEXICO

Abstract

In the present study the Tamaulipas highlands goat production characteristics are presented. Tamaulipas highlands (TH) are localized in the southwest region of Tamaulipas state, Mexico. The goat production system is extensive, the principal product being the two-month kid. The goat milk is underutilized. The lack of management records and almost exclusive reliance on rangeland leads to variability in the goat herd structure and kid production. One of the major problems of TH is abortion. Goats that had their lactation-breeding period in april-august and grazed for less than 6h had 2.48 times higher risk to abort. Goat population in TH is principally crossbreed (77.2\%). Rusticity allows this population to survive under deprived nutrients, which could be the main reason for goat predisposition to abort. Health management includes annual vaccination and deworming programs, carried out by half of the producers. The health management variables were not related to abortion.