Alpine (American goat breed)
A productive dairy goat breed with erect ears and varied coloration.
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According to breed standards, adult Alpines must be a minimum of 135 pounds in weight and exceed 30 inches in height at the withers.[1] Adult males are required to be taller than 32 inches, while adult females must be taller than 30 inches.[1]
Biology and range
The optimal weight for milk production is at least 130 pounds, and for the Alpine that number is higher at 135 pounds.[2] This breed has upright ears and a straight facial profile, and it is unique among erect-eared goat breeds for appearing in every possible color and color combination.[1] Young male goats (buck kids) reach sexual maturity between four and five months of age, whereas young females (doe kids) reach it between five and six months.[3] Pregnancy in Alpine goats typically lasts from 145 to 155 days, with 150 days being the average length.[3]
Litter size ranges from a single kid up to five kids, with twins being the most frequent outcome.[3] The typical temperament of Alpine goats is described as very inquisitive and amiable, yet they are also known for being quite obstinate.[4] The highest milk yield is reached between four and six weeks after the goat has given birth (kidded).[2]
What the specialist sources record
The milk has an average milkfat content of 3.4%.[5] Alongside the Saanen and Toggenburg breeds, the Alpine is considered one of the top dairy goat breeds for productivity.[5] Each lactation cycle yields an average of 2,134 pounds of milk from an Alpine goat.[2] Compared to cow's milk, Alpine goat milk contains more sugar but less protein, with a protein content of 2.3 per 250 versus 3.4 per 250 in cow's milk.[5]
The nutritional composition of Alpine goat milk is marginally superior to that of milk from Saanen goats.[5] Goats previously called Swiss Alpines are currently classified as a distinct breed, the Oberhasli.[6]
References
- Wikipedia, "Alpine (American goat breed)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "2015 ADGA Guidebook", American Dairy Goat Association, 2015; "Alpine", The Canadian Goat Society, 2015 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Alpine (American goat breed)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: State University, "Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Goat Production", College of Agricultural Science (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Alpine (American goat breed)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: State University, "Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Goat Production", College of Agricultural Science; State University, "Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Goat Production", College of Agricultural Science (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Alpine (American goat breed)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Breed Standards", American Goat Society, 2009 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Alpine (American goat breed)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: State University, "Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Goat Production", College of Agricultural Science; "2015 ADGA Guidebook", American Dairy Goat Association, 2015; State University, "Agricultural Alternatives: Dairy Goat Production", College of Agricultural Science; "Goat's Mik", The British Medical Journal, June 17, 1916, p. 855–856; Leite de Souza, "Comparative Protein Composition Analysis of Goat Milk Produced by the Alpine and Saanen Breeds in Northeastern Brazil and Related Antibacterial Activities", PLOS ONE, March 2 en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Alpine (American goat breed)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Hamby, "Alpine Breed History", Alpines International Breed Club, 2000 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Alpine (American goat breed) (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Alpine (American goat breed) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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