Farmer Characteristics and Knowledge of Reproductive Management Practice in Traditional Dairy Goat Farming at Simpay Tampomas Farmers Group, Sumedang, West Java Indonesia

Abstract

Dairy goat production efficiency can be achieved through adequate reproductive performance and appropriate breeding practice. This study aims to explore farmers’ profiles, behaviours, and existing knowledge about reproductive management practices in traditional dairy goat farming. The study were carried out among Simpay Tampomas Farmers Group in Sumedang, West Java, Indonesia. The sample population consisted of thirty participants and the reproductive performance of 96 goats was investigated. Sociodemographic characteristics and reproductive knowledge of breeding were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and direct observation of the farms. The majority of members of Simpay Tampomas Farmers Group were males aged 41-59 years, who graduated from elementary school and had more than 10 years of experience in dairy goat farming. Furthermore, 75% of them had adequate literacy about the signs of heat, length of pregnancy, signs of delivery, and weaning of lamb. The results showed that less than 50% of farmers lacked awareness about the length of heat and the signs of early pregnancy. The majority of the participants immediately carried out mating of the estrus dairy goat and more than 75% treated the pregnant animal and prepared a proper place for delivery. A small proportion of <25% managed and weaned the kids. Farmers mated their goats in the first estrous cycle, leading to an early first delivery age of approximately 12 months. Farmers in Simpay Tampomas Farmers Group generally had adequate knowledge of reproductive physiology but little experience in managing dairy farming goats, leading to suboptimal reproductive performance.