Investigation into the contributing factors to improve the dairy and meat goat productivity

Ruminant industry in Malaysia still depends on importation unlike non ruminant industry to meet the demand for meat and dairy consumption. Various strategies from the Department of Veterinary Services (DVS)were done to support the smallholder farmers in order to increase the production of the animals. In despite of all the effort done,the animal‟s productivity is still low. This study was conducted in order to investigate the current practice of smallholder goat farmers and to suggest some recommendation in order to improve the management parallel with good animal husbandry practice (GAHP) for better meat and milk production in goat. A survey was doneon 10 selected farms, 5 of which were meat goat farms and other 5 were dairy goat farms on their management practices and the production of the animals. Other than that, we also used „Ladang Angkat‟ farms‟ records from University Veterinary Hospital to evaluate the health condition of the animals. Based on the survey that was done, most of the farmersstill lacked in some criteria, especially in the management of record and feeding the animals. Most of the farms did not have proper record keeping on their management and production. Specific nutrition and feeding management according to physiological of the animal was not practiced in any farms. Other criteria, which are management, housing and breeding program were still lacking in certain farms. In conclusion, some farms did practice good animal husbandry practice only in certain criteria