Goat breeding at the time of coronavirus
Year | 2022 |
Cathegory | Publication in specialized journals |
Internal link | 22015.pdf |
Abstract | Goat breeding in the Czech Republic has a rich and long history dating back to the 17th century. Both climate changes and the coronavirus pandemie are affecting goat breeding and related activities (e.g. breeding activities, livestock exhibitions, reduced performance testing due to limits on population mobility). The numbers (mainly females) of animals in the Czech Republic also deereased during 2018-2020, and production of milk (2,400 thousand litters) and cheese (240 t) dropped as well. The price of cheese has inereased somewhat, however, to 320 Czech crowns/kg. Although there was a noticeable reduction in the number of goats during this challenging period, this was caused by unfavourable climatic conditions rather than by effects of the pandemie. In the foreign trade sector (especially goat exports), there were no noticeable significant changes in 2020 compared to previous years. Similar development was evident in the first months of 2021. Under the item „sheep meat, goat meat, horše meat“, the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO, 2021) has reported stable per capita consumption in recent years (0.4 kg), as well as stable per capita consumption of goaťs milk (0.1 litters). Despite relatively low production and domestic consumption of goat meat and dairy products, goat breeding is nevertheless an important area within Czech agriculture. To ensure the Czech Republic’s future selfsufficiency in goaťs milk and meat production, it is necessary to maintain or expand the current herds. That is conditioned, among other things, of course, upon goat breeding’s being economically advantageous. |
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