Breeders bring rare goats to N.Z.

Press, 23 April 1980, Page 1

Breeders bring rare goats to N.Z.

, Anglo-Nubian goats, of which there are very few in New Zealand, have been imported from Tasmania by Mrs A. and Mr J. Watson, of Belfast Road, Christchurch, who have been goat breeders for about seven years.

The arrival of five last week brought the total to seven, including two pedigree unrelated bucks and five pedigree does. The animals were in quarantine for 30 days before they were exported, and will be under surveillance for 90 days on the Watsons’ Kaputone goat farm. They have come from three herds in Tasmania. The Watsons said that breeding these animals was a long-held ambition. The bucks would help to improve their Saanen dairy herd. The Anglo - Nubians have a character all their own.

They originated from Indian and Egyptian goats

which were taken .to England and bred to English goats to improve type and butterfat. Ten of these animals were brought to Australia about 1950, but because of import restrictions no more could be brought in. However," they are now the second most popular breed in Australia. The Anglo-Nubian is an unusually big animal with a fine glossy coat of various colours and markings, long pendulous ears, a Roman nose, and a :very gentle, placid nature. It has the highest butterfat percentage of all breeds, and has been called the Jersey of the goat world. By mating the AngloNubian bucks to their Saanen dairy does, the Watsons say they will get hardy animals which will milk well.

The first-cross AngloNubian. seemed to have the best of both breeds — hardy, healthy animals with hybrid vigour and milking ability.