Photo credit: Minka/Pixabay.ĭespite these unique and unusual genetic features, inbreeding within herds has reduced diversity and variants are split between populations. Other lines possess genes for mild flavor suitable for drinking milk. Many breed members have casein genes for longer coagulation time and firmer curd, ideal for cheese making, with the bonus of efficient protein utilization, thus lowering their environmental impact. Interestingly, genes for casein show varied and rare types. In addition, genetic combinations share a similarity with Indian and Chinese goats. This may indicate interbreeding with wild goats in their early history, or simply the discovery of a new ancestor. Some breed members share the common maternal lineages found in European goats, while others have revealed a previously undiscovered lineage, similar to that found in various species of wild goat. Goats of Unique ValueīIODIVERSITY: Girgentana goats are genetically distinct from neighboring breeds, probably due to their Asian origin and recent isolation of herds. Girgentana goat at Arche Warder rare breeds park in Germany. In addition, a small population is conserved in Germany. Records show 1316 head in 20 in 2019, including 95 breeding males within 19 herds of around 80 head each. The FAO listed the breed as endangered in 2007. It aimed at countering inbreeding and preventing loss of important trait variants. Accordingly, the University of Palermo set up a 12-year experimental program in 1990 to revive the breed. Low numbers and considerable inbreeding threaten the survival of a breed.

In 2001, only 252 goats had milk records. However, ten years later, the population dropped to about 524. Goats are now raised on small/medium family farms on nearby pastures during the day, returning to the barn at night and during winter, where they are fed dried local hay and forage.ĬONSERVATION STATUS: A herdbook was set up in 1976 and 30,000 head recorded in 1983. Map of Italy and Sicily with Agrigento marked red.

Marketing under the Slow Food Presidium label helps farmers to preserve the breed and valorize their products. Although Girgentana are prolific and produce well, they face competition from more populous breeds with similar productivity. There is a growing interest in establishing sustainable systems of high-quality artisan dairy products from heritage breeds, especially fresh and mature cheeses transformed on the farm for direct sale. Ideas changed in the nineties, as imported goats brought new diseases and did not yield significantly more cheese than local landraces, which proved hardier. During the 1960–70s, the push for increased production led to a preference for imported dairy goats, such as Saanen, and it became easier to find breeding males of such breeds. But by the 1980s, they were on the verge of extinction. In 1958, there were about 37,000 head in these areas. Door-to-door milk sales in the streets of Agrigento at the turn of the twentieth century. Consequently, goat-keeping earned an unfavorable image and was pushed out to the hills and coastline. However, this tradition was eradicated in the thirties by new laws prohibiting urban goat farming for sanitary reasons. This mild-flavored milk was mainly given to infants and the elderly. HISTORY: In the 1920–30s, urban herders took goats door to door and to market to supply milk fresh from the teat to villagers.

Razze caprine italiane