The conference on the “Development of breeding of native breed goats” was held at the National Research Institute of Animal Production in Balice on 14 October 2022. It was organized by the Department of Sheep and Goat Breeding. Most of the eighty participants were breeders of the conservation breeds of goats as well as employees of the Institute. The conference aimed to present various aspects of goat breeding, with particular consideration of feeding and disease prevention in animals.
The first part of the conference began with an introductory lecture on the importance of goats in world culture, given by the Director of the National Research Institute of Animal Production, Krzysztof Duda, Ph.D. The next lecture was delivered by Prof. Emilia Bagnicka, Ph.D., who discussed issues related to global goat breeding and the activities of non-governmental organizations dealing with goat breeding. During a break breeders and producers were introduced, and a presentation of products made from raw materials from native breed goats was accompanied by tasting. The participants had a chance to taste products and dishes made on breeders’ farms, such as fresh, maturing and smoked cheeses, as well as cured meats, roasts and dishes made from goat meat. In the next part of the conference the participants listened to a lecture by small ruminant nutritionist Mariusz Dobies, who gave insights into aspects related to proper nutrition of the goats. Thereafter, Prof. Jarosław Kaba, Ph.D. gave a lecture on veterinary prophylaxis in goat farming and breeding, devoting a large portion of his speech to challenges such as food parasite control and prevention of reinfections in goat herds.
In the closing lecture, Jacek Sikora, Ph.D., from the Department of Sheep and Goat Breeding, discussed the implementation of the goat genetic resources conservation programme, highlighting currently the most important aspects of the implementation of this programme. After discussion he summarized the meeting and wound up the scientific part of the conference.
