Northwest A&F University Saanen Dairy Goat

Northwest A&F University Saanen Dairy Goat

　　I. Characteristics of the Northwest A&F University Saanen Dairy Goat

　　 Origin: Wugong, Shaanxi, China.

　　 Features: The Saanen dairy goat has the distinctive wedge-shaped body typical of dairy animals, with a tall and refined build. Adult bucks stand 80–90 cm tall and weigh 75–95 kg; adult does measure 70–78 cm in height and weigh 55–70 kg. They have long heads, straight faces, long and upright ears, and large, lively eyes. Their coat is coarse and short, white or light yellow in color. The skin is thin and pinkish. Both bucks and does are usually hornless, though some may have short horns, and most have beards, with some having dewlaps on the neck. Bucks have thick, sturdy necks, while does have long, slender necks. Their chests are wide and deep, backs broad and loins long, with straight backs and loins, and broad, long rumps. Bucks have round, compact bellies, while does have large bellies that do not sag. Their limbs are strong and well-postured, with solid, waxy-yellow hooves. Does have wide, forward-extending, and backward-projecting udders with soft texture and one pair of moderately sized teats. The lactation period lasts around 300 days, with milk yield ranging from 600 to 1,200 kg per year; individual peak yields can reach up to 3,080 kg. The milk fat content is 3.8%, the kidding rate is 200%, and the productive lifespan is about 10 years. Locals describe the Northwest A&F Saanen goat as having “four longs”: long head, long neck, long body, and long legs. The Northwest A&F Saanen Dairy Goat is renowned nationwide for its tall stature, excellent milk production, strong adaptability, stable heredity, and significant success in improving local goat breeds.

　　II. General Situation of Dairy Goat Breeding Across the City

　　In 2005, the city had a total year-end inventory of 480,000 dairy goats, including 260,000 breeding females, producing 71,000 tons of goat milk. The majority of dairy goats are Guanzhong Dairy Goats, followed by Saanen Dairy Goats, which account for about 20% of the total dairy goat population and are mainly distributed in Fuping, Lintong, Jingyang, and Sanyuan counties.