Productive practices of small-holder goat flocks in the Calchaquies Valleys (Payogasta, Salta).

Abstract

A cross-sectional survey was performed in 35 family farming units (FFU) in the Municipality of Payogasta (Salta), with the aim of describing production practices in their goat flocks. Data on management, feeding, reproduction and health practices were recorded. FFU had on average 80.1 ±57.1 goats (not including kids). The predominant biotypes was Anglo Nubian (60.5%) with Criollo crosses. Animals are extensively managed, with nocturnal enclosure, and flock feeding was based on grazing the hills, lucerne, crops or their residues. The 100% of the FFU produced milk by hand-milking to make cheeses. Breeding was stationed (51.4%), while in the rest it was continuous. The 65.7% of the FFU routinely dewormed. Those FFU that had stationed mating system and dewormed showed to obtain a tendency of higher production values. These results show important productive limitations that, with simple practices it would be possible to increase production and the well-being of producing families.