Longlin Goat

Longlin Goat

The Longlin Goat is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　The Longlin Goat is primarily produced in Longlin Various Nationalities Autonomous County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The production area is located in northern Guangxi, on the southeastern edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, at an altitude of 600 to 1,800 meters. The Hongshui River, an upper tributary of the Pearl River, flows through the region. The terrain is complex, with continuous mountain ranges, undulating peaks, and a mix of earthen, rocky, and semi-earthen/rocky hills—earthen hills mostly consisting of loess or sandy soil. Wasteland hills account for 44.0% of the area, pine forests cover 48.0%, and arable land only makes up 7.0%. The annual average temperature is 19.1°C, with the highest temperatures (June to August) reaching 35°C and the lowest (January to February) dropping to -3°C, showing distinct seasonal variations. The annual average precipitation is 1,575 mm, with a relative humidity of 81% and a frost-free period of 323 days. Major crops include corn, rice, wheat, beans, as well as tubers and taro. The hilly areas are overgrown with shrubs and grass year-round, providing abundant forage for goat farming.

　　Geographical Distribution

　　The Longlin Goat is mainly distributed in Longlin Various Nationalities Autonomous County, with small numbers also found in neighboring Tianlin and Xilin counties.

　　Breed Characteristics

　　The Longlin Goat has a sturdy build and well-proportioned structure. Its head is of moderate size; the nose bridge of the female is relatively straight, while that of the male is slightly raised. Both males and females have beards, and their ears are of moderate size. Both sexes also have horns, which are flat, curved upward, backward, and outward in a semi-spiral shape, with some exhibiting a full spiral. Horns are white, gypsum-colored, or black, and a small number of females have dewlaps under their necks. Their ribs are well arched, with the hindquarters slightly higher than the forequarters, resulting in a body that is roughly rectangular in shape with a long body length. The limbs are thick and strong. The coat color is quite varied: white (38.25%), black-and-white (27.94%), brown (19.11%), and black (14.7%). The hair on the underbelly and upper parts of the limbs tends to be coarser and longer.

　　Advantages

　　1. Fast growth and development: the average birth weight of lambs is 2.19 kg; 6-month-old male kids weigh 21.05 kg, and female kids weigh 17.06 kg; yearling females weigh 27.8 kg; adult males average 52.5 kg, adult females 40.29 kg, and adult castrated males 72 kg.

　　2. Well-developed muscles, evenly distributed carcass fat, tender and flavorful meat with no strong odor.

　　3. Strong reproductive performance: average annual fertility is 1.66 kids per doe; sexual maturity occurs around 5 months of age, with does typically bred starting at 8 months and bucks generally put into service around 9 months.

　　4. Strong adaptability and tolerance to both cold and heat.

　　Breed Performance

　　Adult Longlin male goats have an average height of 66.72 cm, body length of 73.50 cm, chest girth of 83.8 cm, and weight of 57 kg. Adult females measure an average of 65.28 cm in height, 72.79 cm in length, 84.49 cm in chest girth, and weigh 44.71 kg. The goats have well-developed muscles, evenly distributed carcass fat, fine muscle fibers, tender meat, and minimal gaminess. Adult castrated males have an average pre-slaughter weight of 60.46 kg, an average carcass weight of 31.05 kg, and average internal fat weight of 3.91 kg, with a dressing percentage of 57.83%. The breed is highly adaptable, grows quickly even under extensive management, exhibits good meat production, and high fertility.

　　Regional Scope

　　The Longlin Goat is produced in 16 townships within Longlin Various Nationalities Autonomous County, including De'e, Zhuchang, Kechang, Shechang, Jieting, Yancha, Longhuo, Jinzhongshan, Gebu, Tianshengqiao Town, Zhelang, Yazha, Zhebao, Pingban, Shali, and Xinzhou. The main production areas are De'e, Zhuchang, Shechang, and Kechang. The geographical coordinates are: 104°47′ to 105°41′ east longitude, 24°22′ to 24°59′ north latitude, covering a total area of 3,552.96 square kilometers. The annual herd size is around 200,000 goats, with a production of 2,000 tons (based on an annual slaughter of 100,000 goats).