Laoshan Dairy Goats

Laoshan Dairy Goats

　　Laoshan Dairy Goats are one of the superior breeds of dairy goats in Shandong, known across the country for their large size, high milk production, and good reproductive capacity. They are primarily found in Qingdao, Yantai, and Weihai. This breed is distinctly dairy-oriented, characterized by a long head, long neck, long legs, and long torso — the “four longs.” A key trait is their full and symmetrical udders, which are soft in texture and produce high volumes of milk. The lactation period can last 8–10 months, with an average annual milk yield of 595 kilograms per nanny goat.

　　[Dairy Goat] One of the superior breeds of dairy goats in Shandong is the Laoshan Dairy Goat, which is well-known nationwide for its large size, high milk yield, and strong reproductive performance. It is mainly distributed in Qingdao, Yantai, and Weihai.

　　Laoshan Dairy Goats are distinctly dairy-type, with a sturdy build and well-proportioned structure. They have dewlaps on both sides of the neck, white fleece, and soft, elastic skin.

　　Their body type exhibits the “four longs”: long head, long neck, long legs, and long torso. A notable feature of Laoshan Dairy Goats is their full and symmetrical udders, which are soft in texture and often square-shaped or pouch-like, yielding high quantities of milk. The lactation period generally lasts 8 months, sometimes extending to 9–10 months. According to a survey in Wendeng County, the average annual milk yield per goat reaches 595 kilograms. Moreover, Laoshan Dairy Goats are disease-resistant, tolerant of coarse feed, and grow rapidly. By 18 days old, their weight can account for 85–90% of their adult weight. They reach sexual maturity early: male kids show clear sexual behavior at 2 months old and can be used for breeding in the same year at 6–7 months; female kids begin estrus at 3–4 months and can be bred for the first time around 6 months old.

　　Goat dairy farming in Wendeng County has a history of nearly 100 years. The area boasts 830,000 mu of natural grassland, with lush mountain forage and sweet spring water. The region enjoys a mild climate, abundant sunlight, and moderate rainfall, providing an ideal natural environment for raising dairy goats. One area in the Kunyu Mountains contains over 30,000 mu of natural pasture. Liu Yinwu, a leading expert on dairy goats in China and professor at Northwest Agricultural University, visited the mountains seven times and marveled at the high nutritional value of the hundreds of plant species and the pristine ecological environment: “This is truly a sea of milk, comparable to Switzerland’s Shaan Valley.” Before 1977, Wendeng County had only 2,300 dairy goats, with an average annual milk yield of 212 kilograms per goat. Although this was higher than the national average of 141 kilograms at the time, it was only 38.8% of the yield per goat in the United States. Starting in 1978, the county continuously introduced Saanen elite goats and established 23 artificial insemination stations and 125 insemination points within the county.

　　Through graded crossbreeding, the average annual milk yield per improved goat reached 647.15 kilograms. In September 1984, at the National Dairy Goat Base County Conference, Wendeng County was awarded the title of “National Advanced Unit in Dairy Goat Base County Construction” by the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries, the Ministry of Light Industry, and the Ministry of Commerce. In 1985, expert evaluations confirmed that the average milk yield of Wendeng’s crossbred improved goats led the nation. In the same year, the “Wendeng County Dairy Goat Crossbreeding Improvement Project” won the third prize for scientific and technological progress in Shandong Province.

　　In 1987, Wendeng County had 53,100 dairy goats, including 52,200 crossbred improved goats, supplying a total of 21 million kilograms of commercial milk for the year.