Lingchuan Black Goat

Lingchuan Black Goat

Lingchuan Black Goat is a recognized geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Lingchuan Black Goat is a specialty of Lingchuan County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province. The goats are raised in the mountainous eastern part of Lingchuan County, where high-quality pasture and mountain streams contribute to their tender meat and excellent flavor. Lingchuan Black Goat is a recognized geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Lingchuan County is located in the Taihang Mountains, with steep slopes and expansive terrain, as well as significant diurnal temperature variations. Its forest coverage rate reaches 47%, and the county has 585,000 mu of grazing pasture and grassland. In some towns and villages in the eastern mountainous region, forest coverage exceeds 90%, providing ideal natural conditions for free-range Black Goat farming.

　　The Lingchuan Taihang Black Goat is raised in the mountainous eastern part of Lingchuan County. Thanks to high-quality pasture and mountain streams, the goats produce tender, flavorful meat of exceptional quality. Locals describe them as feeding on medicinal herbs and drinking mineral water, earning them the reputation of being a "culinary delicacy." Currently, there are 95,000 Lingchuan Taihang Black Goats, with an annual slaughter of over 40,000, generating sales revenue of 15 million yuan. This alone increases local farmers' per capita income by more than 600 yuan.

　　 Geographical Scope

　　Lingchuan County is located at the southeastern tip of Shanxi Province, bordering Huguan and Changzhi to the north, Gaoping and Zezhou to the west, and neighboring Huixian and Xiuwu in Henan Province to the southeast, serving as the southeastern gateway of the province. The county covers a total area of 1,751 square kilometers, with most areas situated at elevations between 1,200 and 1,600 meters. The highest elevation reaches 1,791.9 meters, while the lowest is 628 meters. The county administers 7 towns, 5 townships, and 378 administrative villages, with a total population of 250,000, including 226,000 agricultural residents. The protected geographical indication area for Lingchuan Black Goat includes 274 administrative villages across five townships in Lingchuan County, Jincheng City, Shanxi Province: Gujiao, Liuzhuan, Magedang, Duo Huo, and Lucheng. The total area spans 109,700 hectares, with geographical coordinates between 113°15′–113°36′ east longitude and 35°30′–35°52.5′ north latitude. There are currently 95,000 Lingchuan Black Goats within this protected range, with an annual production totaling over 40,000.

　　Product Quality Characteristics

　　1. External Sensory Features: The Lingchuan Black Goat has a medium-sized body with a proportionate head, large slightly protruding eyes, a concave nose bridge, and small ears that extend horizontally. Most male and female goats have thick, outwardly curving “eight”-shaped horns, although some are hornless. They have broad, plump backs and loins, sturdy limbs, and firm hooves. Their coats are long, shiny, and mostly brown, with coarse, long, and glossy outer hairs. Adult male goats weigh around 50 kg, stand about 58.5 cm tall, measure approximately 63.9 cm in body length, have a chest circumference of about 76.3 cm, and a cannon bone circumference of around 8.9 cm. Adult females weigh about 35 kg, stand roughly 53.1 cm tall, are about 59.9 cm long, have a chest circumference of around 69.6 cm, and a cannon bone circumference of approximately 6.8 cm. The average slaughter rate of Lingchuan Black Goats is 35%, with a kidding rate of 120%. The outer coat can grow over 20 cm in 12 months, yielding an average of 7.5 liang of wool per year. Inner down can be harvested at over 5 liang for males and over 3 liang for females annually. Sexual maturity occurs around one year of age, with full physical maturity at about 1.5 years. The breed offers excellent meat quality, high protein, low fat, and delicious flavor. About 2.2–2.5 kg of live weight produces 1 kg of net meat. 2. Internal Quality Indicators: Lingchuan Black Goat meat features fine muscle fibers, tender texture, delicious taste, minimal gaminess, and high nutritional value. It contains all 15 amino acids, especially rich in essential human amino acids, earning its title as a “culinary delicacy.” It has strong nourishing properties; long-term consumption helps replenish weakness and strengthen the body, making it especially suitable for the elderly, weak, or chronically ill. Regular consumption of Black Goat meat, possibly combined with appropriate tonic herbs, contributes to building strength, health, and longevity. 3. Safety Requirements: Drinking water meets the standards outlined in “NY5027-2001 Quality Standards for Livestock and Poultry Drinking Water in Pollution-Free Food.” Inputs comply with “NY5030-2001 Guidelines for Veterinary Drug Use in Pollution-Free Livestock and Poultry Rearing” and “NY5032-2001 Guidelines for Feed and Feed Additives in Pollution-Free Livestock and Poultry Rearing.” Goat rearing management adheres to “NY5151-2002 Management Standards for Pollution-Free Meat Goat Rearing” and “NY5149-2002 Veterinary Epidemic Prevention Standards for Pollution-Free Meat Goat Rearing.” The meat complies with “NY5149-2002 Pollution-Free Lamb Standards.”