Reproductive and milk production profiles in Serrana goats

Abstract

Serrana goats are the major Portuguese local breed, reared under a pastoralist system, mainly in mountain regions. Approximately 20,000 adult animals are registered in the respective pedigree book, in small farms normally with fewer than 100 goats. The overall production rate is 1.47 with cabrito, weighing 8- 9 kg at 45 days old, for trade. The 150-days normalized milk production is low, less than 100 L in the Transmontano ecotype (11,000 goats), and mainly used in cheese manufacture. The empirical reproductive management and incipient genetic selection program were predominant for the Transmontano, Ribatejano, Jarmelista, and Serra ecotypes over the last three decades. In consequence, the selection of this breed can be considered environment-friendly. According to pedigree record data from 1987, the circannual profile of normal parturitions presents peaks, the first one in January, from goats bred in August, and the second in October for goats bred in May. The 150-days normalized milk production also demonstrates seasonal variations according to the month of goat parturitions for all four ecotypes. We conclude that an overall improvement of genetic, reproductive, and nutritional aspects should be addressed in regard to keeping the Serrana goat breed in pastoralist systems, independently of each ecotype.