Macheng Black Goat

Macheng Black Goat

Macheng Black Goat is a protected geographical indication product.

Macheng Black Goat is a protected geographical indication certification trademark.

　　Geographical Scope

　　　Macheng Black Goat is an excellent dual-purpose (meat and hide) breed developed through years of selective breeding and purification of high-quality indigenous goat breeds in the Dabie Mountain region. It features a tall stature, stable genetic traits, rapid growth, good fattening ability, high slaughter and lean meat rates, superior meat quality, mild gamey flavor, tolerance to coarse feed, and strong adaptability. As a dual-purpose breed, it is under the protection of the Ministry of Agriculture’s “Black Goat” germplasm resource conservation program.

　　Specific Qualities

　　　　The Black Goat has a sturdy build and well-proportioned structure. Its entire body is covered with short, sleek, lustrous black hair. Adult rams have back hair measuring 5–16 cm in length. A small number of goats are born black but their coat turns blackish-yellow around 3–6 months of age before gradually darkening again. Goats may have horns or be polled. Polled goats have slightly longer heads resembling horse heads, while horned goats possess thick, robust horns—especially the rams, whose horns often curve backward in an arc. Their ears are relatively large and usually droop slightly forward. Rams begin to grow beards around 6 months of age, with some having continuous beards extending to the chest, while ewes typically develop beards around one year old. Adult rams have thick, short, and muscular necks, whereas ewes have slender and elegant ones. The head, neck, and shoulders are well-connected, the forequarters are well-developed, and the hindquarters are also well-formed. The back is straight, the limbs are upright and sturdy, the hooves are solid, and the udders are well-developed with two effective teats. Some goats even have two additional auxiliary teats. The tail is short and upright.

　　Cultural Background

　　　　Originally referred to as “Tugui Sheep,” “Ma Sheep,” or “Qinghui Sheep,” the Macheng Black Goat was developed through long-term spontaneous selective breeding of locally indigenous sheep (known as “Tugui Sheep” or “Ma Sheep”) chosen for their larger size, faster growth, and gentle temperament. Between 1982 and 1986, the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station in Futianhe Town, Macheng City, conducted breed resource exploration, expanded the production population, and proposed the name “Futianhe Black Goat.” From 1987 to 1994, Professor Liu Changsen and his team from Hubei Agricultural College, leveraging the Dabie Mountain Science and Technology Poverty Alleviation Project, carried out surveys on Black Goats, strengthened selective breeding practices, and improved the goats’ production performance. Key traits and genetic characteristics became more stable, leading to the breed being named “Macheng Black Goat.” Between 1995 and 2001, with strong support and technical guidance from the Hubei Provincial Animal Husbandry Bureau, the purebred propagation and promotion of the Macheng Black Goat were further advanced. It was officially named “Macheng Black Goat,” with all production performances significantly surpassing those of the original Black Goats.