Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming (2024)

Meijer, E., Goerlich, V. C., van den Brom, R., Giersberg, M. F., Arndt, S. S. (2021). Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 8, 1-11. Article 662102. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.662102

Meijer, Ellen ; Goerlich, Vivian C ; van den Brom, René et al. / Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming. In: Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2021 ; Vol. 8. pp. 1-11.

@article{4fd58ca4b6d44c2784164aea9f4fe275,

title = "Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming",

abstract = "To start milk production, dairy goats need to give birth at least once. While most female kids are reared to become the next generation of dairy goats, only a small proportion of male kids (buck kids) are reared with reproduction aims. The market for buck kid meat, especially within Northern European countries, is currently relatively small compared to the number of bucks born. Therefore, the purposes for buck kids are limited and a substantial proportion of buck kid meat is used for pet food. Due to the limited economic value of buck kids, farmers are faced with a dilemma. Although raising bucks costs more money than it yields, the birth of kids is a prerequisite for production of milk and should be seen as an investment for business-wise healthy dairy goat farming. In that perspective, dairy goat farmers have an ethical responsibility toward buck kids, as well. In this paper, we compare various scenarios of dealing with the issue of surplus male animals. We provide recommendations for the rearing of buck kids based on the sector's experience and current practice in the Netherlands. Reducing the number of surplus (male) offspring, e.g., by an optimized prolonged lactation management and/or by artificial insemination with sex-sorted sem*n, could alleviate the issue of low value buck kids. Killing surplus animals before or directly after birth, on the other hand, is met with increasing societal scrutiny. Initiatives to propagate a market for buck kid meat for human consumption are important to enable a suitable and sustainable production system. To maintain the health and welfare of goat kids, amongst other factors, sufficient and good quality colostrum, milk, and an appropriate diet as they grow older, needs to be provided. One option to assure the safeguarding of health and welfare of all goat kids are quality assurance schemes for milk production. These schemes make dairy farmers accountable for the health and welfare of all kids in the rearing period, including the provision of colostrum and adequate care for newborn buck kids. We conclude that the combination of reducing the number of surplus kids, increasing the demand for goat products, and quality assurance schemes that may help to safeguard the welfare of buck kids.",

keywords = "buck kids, dairy goats, farm animal ethics, farm animal welfare, surplus offspring",

author = "Ellen Meijer and Goerlich, {Vivian C} and {van den Brom}, Ren{\'e} and Giersberg, {Mona F} and Arndt, {Saskia S} and Rodenburg, {T Bas}",

note = "Funding Information: The authors thank the constructive comments of two referees which helped to improve the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} Copyright {\textcopyright} 2021 Meijer, Goerlich, Brom, Giersberg, Arndt and Rodenburg.",

year = "2021",

month = oct,

day = "15",

doi = "10.3389/fvets.2021.662102",

language = "English",

volume = "8",

pages = "1--11",

journal = "Frontiers in Veterinary Science",

issn = "2297-1769",

publisher = "Frontiers Media S.A.",

}

Meijer, E, Goerlich, VC, van den Brom, R, Giersberg, MF, Arndt, SS 2021, 'Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming', Frontiers in Veterinary Science, vol. 8, 662102, pp. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2021.662102

Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming. / Meijer, Ellen; Goerlich, Vivian C; van den Brom, René et al.
In: Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Vol. 8, 662102, 15.10.2021, p. 1-11.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming

AU - Meijer, Ellen

AU - Goerlich, Vivian C

AU - van den Brom, René

AU - Giersberg, Mona F

AU - Arndt, Saskia S

AU - Rodenburg, T Bas

N1 - Funding Information:The authors thank the constructive comments of two referees which helped to improve the manuscript.Publisher Copyright:© Copyright © 2021 Meijer, Goerlich, Brom, Giersberg, Arndt and Rodenburg.

PY - 2021/10/15

Y1 - 2021/10/15

N2 - To start milk production, dairy goats need to give birth at least once. While most female kids are reared to become the next generation of dairy goats, only a small proportion of male kids (buck kids) are reared with reproduction aims. The market for buck kid meat, especially within Northern European countries, is currently relatively small compared to the number of bucks born. Therefore, the purposes for buck kids are limited and a substantial proportion of buck kid meat is used for pet food. Due to the limited economic value of buck kids, farmers are faced with a dilemma. Although raising bucks costs more money than it yields, the birth of kids is a prerequisite for production of milk and should be seen as an investment for business-wise healthy dairy goat farming. In that perspective, dairy goat farmers have an ethical responsibility toward buck kids, as well. In this paper, we compare various scenarios of dealing with the issue of surplus male animals. We provide recommendations for the rearing of buck kids based on the sector's experience and current practice in the Netherlands. Reducing the number of surplus (male) offspring, e.g., by an optimized prolonged lactation management and/or by artificial insemination with sex-sorted sem*n, could alleviate the issue of low value buck kids. Killing surplus animals before or directly after birth, on the other hand, is met with increasing societal scrutiny. Initiatives to propagate a market for buck kid meat for human consumption are important to enable a suitable and sustainable production system. To maintain the health and welfare of goat kids, amongst other factors, sufficient and good quality colostrum, milk, and an appropriate diet as they grow older, needs to be provided. One option to assure the safeguarding of health and welfare of all goat kids are quality assurance schemes for milk production. These schemes make dairy farmers accountable for the health and welfare of all kids in the rearing period, including the provision of colostrum and adequate care for newborn buck kids. We conclude that the combination of reducing the number of surplus kids, increasing the demand for goat products, and quality assurance schemes that may help to safeguard the welfare of buck kids.

AB - To start milk production, dairy goats need to give birth at least once. While most female kids are reared to become the next generation of dairy goats, only a small proportion of male kids (buck kids) are reared with reproduction aims. The market for buck kid meat, especially within Northern European countries, is currently relatively small compared to the number of bucks born. Therefore, the purposes for buck kids are limited and a substantial proportion of buck kid meat is used for pet food. Due to the limited economic value of buck kids, farmers are faced with a dilemma. Although raising bucks costs more money than it yields, the birth of kids is a prerequisite for production of milk and should be seen as an investment for business-wise healthy dairy goat farming. In that perspective, dairy goat farmers have an ethical responsibility toward buck kids, as well. In this paper, we compare various scenarios of dealing with the issue of surplus male animals. We provide recommendations for the rearing of buck kids based on the sector's experience and current practice in the Netherlands. Reducing the number of surplus (male) offspring, e.g., by an optimized prolonged lactation management and/or by artificial insemination with sex-sorted sem*n, could alleviate the issue of low value buck kids. Killing surplus animals before or directly after birth, on the other hand, is met with increasing societal scrutiny. Initiatives to propagate a market for buck kid meat for human consumption are important to enable a suitable and sustainable production system. To maintain the health and welfare of goat kids, amongst other factors, sufficient and good quality colostrum, milk, and an appropriate diet as they grow older, needs to be provided. One option to assure the safeguarding of health and welfare of all goat kids are quality assurance schemes for milk production. These schemes make dairy farmers accountable for the health and welfare of all kids in the rearing period, including the provision of colostrum and adequate care for newborn buck kids. We conclude that the combination of reducing the number of surplus kids, increasing the demand for goat products, and quality assurance schemes that may help to safeguard the welfare of buck kids.

KW - buck kids

KW - dairy goats

KW - farm animal ethics

KW - farm animal welfare

KW - surplus offspring

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U2 - 10.3389/fvets.2021.662102

DO - 10.3389/fvets.2021.662102

M3 - Review article

C2 - 34722689

SN - 2297-1769

VL - 8

SP - 1

EP - 11

JO - Frontiers in Veterinary Science

JF - Frontiers in Veterinary Science

M1 - 662102

ER -

Meijer E, Goerlich VC, van den Brom R, Giersberg MF, Arndt SS, Rodenburg TB. Perspectives for Buck Kids in Dairy Goat Farming. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2021 Oct 15;8:1-11. 662102. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.662102