M.E.C.I module of minor ruminants of the FCA (UNLZ): analysis of indicators and proposal for improvement

Abstract

The Small Ruminant Experimentation, Training and Research Module (M.E.C.I.) at FCA-UNLZ was created in 2015. It is composed of Anglo-Nubian goats (meat/milk dual purpose), reared in an intensive system. Out of season mating is needed to accommodate the production cycle to the academic calendar. The objectives were: a) To calculate the reproductive and meat production indexes achieved in the Module during the periods 2016-2017, 2017-2018 and 2018-2019; b) To propose different strategies to improve these indexes. The only deficient parameter was the fertility obtained when using the practice of the "male effect" for mating, the other indexes being within the reference values. As proposals for improvement, the following are cited: making the practice of the "male effect" more efficient (photoperiodic treatment, inclusion of estrogenized females), inducing estrus/ovulation by means of exogenous hormones and/or replacing empty females with females born from those with better reproductive results.
Keywords: goats; intensive system; reproduction; meat production.