The Thammasat University Library has acquired a new book that may be useful for students who are interested in agricultural technology, natural history, farming, economics, sociology, and related subjects.

The Goat: A Natural and Cultural History is shelved in the General Stacks of the Pridi Banomyong Library, Tha Prachan campus.

It joins other books about aspects of goats in the TU Library collection.

As TU students know, goats were domesticated from the wild goat of Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe. As an animal family, goats are closely related to the sheep. There are over 300 distinct breeds of goat. It is one of the oldest domesticated species of animal, according to archaeological evidence that its earliest domestication occurred in Iran several thousand years ago. Goats have been used for milk, meat, fur, and skins across much of the world. Milk from goats is often turned into goat cheese.

In 2011, there were over 900 million goats living in the world, according to the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

 Thailand and goats

As students at the Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Rangsit campus, are aware, there have been a number of academic research studies about goats in the Kingdom.

Knowledge in Goats in Thailand was published in June 2011 in the Walailak Journal of Science and Technology (WJST).

WJST is a peer-reviewed journal covering all areas of science and technology, launched in 2004. The scope of the journal includes the following areas of research: Natural Sciences, Life Sciences, and Applied Sciences.

The editor-in-chief of WJST is Ajarn Phongpichit Channuie of the School of Science, Walailak University, Thasala, Nakhon Si Thammarat.

The authors of Knowledge in Goats in Thailand include Ajarn Winai Pralomkarn and Ajarn Dolrudee Boonsanit, both of Walailak University, and Dr. China Supakorn of Iowa State University, the United States of America. The article’s abstract follows:

The goat population in Thailand is relatively small. However the past 10 years, has seen a marked increase due to an increased demand for goat meat and milk. In the past, the numbers of research publications concerning goats in Thailand were small, especially dairy goats compared with those in other economical livestock such as swine, cattle and poultry. However, the numbers have gradually increased owning to the promotion of goat production by the government. Major research areas have been focused on breeding and genetic improvement, feed and feeding, management, health, diseases and socio-economics. This paper presents background and facilities on goat research in Thailand such as knowledge in terms of breeds and genetic improvement (genetic resources, breed evaluation and breeding and molecular genetics), nutrition, management, diseases and parasites, goat’s milk and meat processing. Conclusions and recommendations are also provided.

The article begins:

Thailand is located in Southeast Asia with a total area of approximately 513,000 km2 (198,000 mi2). The country has a tropical climate dominated by monsoon seasons and characterized by high temperature and humidity. The goat population in 2010 was 380,227 heads (350,851 and 29,426 heads for meat and milk goats, respectively) of which 47.8 % were in southern Thailand. The majority of goats were raised by smallholders in approximately 36,753 households. The Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and a few universities have the facilities for goat research in Thailand. In general, the major factors which affect growth and body composition of goats are genotype or breed, nutrition, age and weight, sex, management and environment. Milk production of dairy goats depends on the breed, parity of dam, number of rearing kids, nutrition, management and environment. In Thailand, studies on goats have been negligible compared with those in other livestock and poultry. However, this paper reviews all available research publications in goats in terms of breeds and genetic improvement, nutrition, management, diseases and parasites, goat’s milk and meat processing. Focus areas for goat research by the year 2020 will also be proposed.  Background and facilities for goat research in Thailand. In Thailand, the DLD has major responsibility for providing research facilities for goats and other animals. In addition, some universities such as Kasetsart University, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Walailak University, Chiang Mai University, Suranaree University of Technology, etc. have established goat research stations. Kasetsart University is the first university to establish goat flock and collected data of goat production. However, little research was done until the establishment of the Thai-Australian Goat Project in 1985. This project, funded by the Australian and Thai governments, was established at the faculty of Natural Resources, PSU… In the past decade, some universities have established goat flocks and conducted research into goats. However, until now, a new master research project for goats has not been established yet.  Research on breeds and improvement Genotype plays as an important role in growth and productivity of ruminants. It is well known that crossbreeding indigenous or native goats with European breeds markedly increases the growth rate of kids and milk production. 

Goat farming in Thailand

Porpeang Farm Thailand is one example of goat farming. Its website observes about goat meat consumption in Thailand:

Thailand’s domestic annual consumption is estimated at around 377,000 goats per year.

Last year Thailand had to import a further 39,231 goats from Myanmar to satisfy the domestic market.

There was also an additional export to Malaysia and Laos of 140,000 animals.

A growing market for goat production in Thailand

Thailand’s goat market has been growing exponentially with an increase in demand for export and domestic consumption.

Back in 2007, Thailand had as few as 38,653 households raising a total of 444,774 goats.

Fast forward to 2019, the number of households increased to 65,850, raising a total of 832,533 goats…

Mr Sorawit Thanito, director-general of the Livestock Development Department said: “With the effective promotion, goats can be the new economic livestock, as they are resilient to drought and require a small amount of water to raise.”

Sorawit further mentioned that at present, 64 provinces in Thailand has goat recognised farmer associations, all consisting of over 500 groups of local farmers.

They receive financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Livestock Development Department as well as from their local administration offices.

Mr Sorawit Thanito also added that his department is fully committed to promoting goat raising in Thailand by facilitating expert knowledge and technology transfer between existing farmers and new ones. This is achieved through training courses provided by the department.

He added, “Moreover, we have organised the annual National Goat Fair where goat farmers can share their know-how and experiences, as well as sell their products to the public and participate in goat breed contests.”

The last National Goat Fair was held on January 17-19 at the Sufficiency Economy Centre of Muak Lek district in Saraburi.

Goat meat prices in Thailand

Thai farmers selling live goats to the meat industry can expect to receive between 120-150 Thai baht per kilogram.

Prices usually increase by 5-10 baht per kilogram for goats weighing less than 20 kilograms.

Because Thailand’s current demand for goat meat outstrips supply, there is no issue of farmers selling their livestock at a fair price.

It’s also worth noting that it’s a price that steadily increases each year.

(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)