Productivity of four foat farms in Saltillo, Coah., Mexico

Abstract

The goat production practiced in the municipality of Saltillo has strong technical and administrative problems, it is considered that the available information on production processes and applied technology is not sufficient. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the production and socioeconomic factors of four goat farms located in Saltillo, Coah., Mexico. Questionnaire surveys were applied to goat producers of an intensive goat farm (IGF); two extensive goat farms (EGF) of Jaguey de Ferniza (EGF-JF1) and (EGF-JF2); and an EGF in La Angostura (EGF-LA). Variables of livestock process (number of sows, females exposed to male, rate of abortion, pregnancy, calving, weaning) and administrative variables (expenses, depreciation, amortization, interests, costs of production) were evaluated from March 2008 to February 2009. The results indicated that the IGF recorded the best parameters evaluated: 1% of abortions against high rates of EGF: 37 % in EGF-JF1; 63 % in EGF-JF2; and 47 % of the EGF-LA. The number of kids weaned was greater in the IGF than in the EGF, in which there was less than half the production of the first. At the end of the period, the IGF, with more investments, had a capital of $ 108,661, higher than the other goat farms, and tending to increase as the assets were greater than liabilities. Of the remaining farms, the EGF-JF2 had more capital at the end of the period with $ 26,552 followed by EGF-LA with $ 18,129; the EGF-JF1 had the lowest capital with $ 10,451. The annual production was $ 430,440; $ 36,701; $ 49,529 and $ 33,373 for IGF, EGF-JF1, EGF-JF2 and EGF-LA respectively. The goat production in the IGF was higher than in the EGF.