The breeding program of Goat Improvement Company delivers genetics that are ready for the future!
We achieve this through our five focus areas:
Balanced breeding
Within the breeding program the emphasis is on genetic progress based on a “Balanced Breeding” strategy. We select on the following characteristics: health and longevity, exterior, milk quality, milk production and percentages. All properties are greased in the GIC index. We have deliberately chosen to focus on these characteristics because a balanced progress in precisely these characteristics results in high-quality dairy for the consumer, less environmental impact per kilogram of milk, more animal welfare and a higher operating result for the goat farmer.
Within the breeding program the emphasis is on genetic progress based on a “Balanced Breeding” strategy. We select on the following characteristics: health and longevity, exterior, milk quality, milk production and percentages. All properties are greased in the GIC index. We have deliberately chosen to focus on these characteristics because a balanced progress in precisely these characteristics results in high-quality dairy for the consumer, less environmental impact per kilogram of milk, more animal welfare and a higher operating result for the goat farmer.
Nucleus breeders worldwide
Our top breeders form the core of the breeding program. On their farms, we test the technical breeding performance of bucks/goats under local conditions, select AI bucks and produce high-quality breeding material. Within the nucleus program there is great variation in companies and day-to-day management and the program includes top breeders from no fewer than three continents (Europe, North America and Africa). This allows genetics to be widely tested.
Our top breeders form the core of the breeding program. On their farms, we test the technical breeding performance of bucks/goats under local conditions, select AI bucks and produce high-quality breeding material. Within the nucleus program there is great variation in companies and day-to-day management and the program includes top breeders from no fewer than three continents (Europe, North America and Africa). This allows genetics to be widely tested.
Systematic data collection
The breeding program is based on data from more than 25,000 goats that we collect daily on the farms of our top breeders. Due to the variation in the farms and the climatic differences between the different countries where the farms are located, we can test the genetics widely. In addition, this gives us the opportunity to adjust the GIC index to the country; we are therefore the first breeding organization that can adjust the weighting of traits to the country.
The breeding program is based on data from more than 25,000 goats that we collect daily on the farms of our top breeders. Due to the variation in the farms and the climatic differences between the different countries where the farms are located, we can test the genetics widely. In addition, this gives us the opportunity to adjust the GIC index to the country; we are therefore the first breeding organization that can adjust the weighting of traits to the country.
Collaboration with scientist
We analyze the data from the nucleus companies in collaboration with universities. In addition, we are constantly looking together for new innovations with which we can select for even more characteristics and accelerate genetic progress.
We analyze the data from the nucleus companies in collaboration with universities. In addition, we are constantly looking together for new innovations with which we can select for even more characteristics and accelerate genetic progress.
Climate
Two important drivers behind the reduction of methane emissions per kg of milk are increasing milk production and reducing young stock. We realize increasing production with our genetics; healthier animals that produce a lot of milk over a long life. Reducing the young stock is only possible with a sustainable herd, but long-term milking also plays an important role in this. The long-term milking of the goats avoids the dry period, reduces the risk of disease and therefore discharge, and fewer lambs are born (smaller young stock).
Two important drivers behind the reduction of methane emissions per kg of milk are increasing milk production and reducing young stock. We realize increasing production with our genetics; healthier animals that produce a lot of milk over a long life. Reducing the young stock is only possible with a sustainable herd, but long-term milking also plays an important role in this. The long-term milking of the goats avoids the dry period, reduces the risk of disease and therefore discharge, and fewer lambs are born (smaller young stock).
Move your mouse over the pulsating orange spheres to see the five points of interest.