What Is The History Of Valais Blackneck Goat Breed?

The Valais Blackneck is a multi-purpose breed, mainly used in dairy and meat production. The breed is from the canton of Valais, in southern Switzerland, along with neighboring regions of northern Italy.

Valais Blackneck goat is also known by many other names such as French: Chèvre des Glaciers, Col Noir du Valais or Race de Viège; German: Gletschergeiss or Walliser Schwarzhalsziege; and Italian: Vallesana or Vallese.

The biggest number of Valais Blackneck goats is available in the region of Visp (Viège). And it is also present in small amounts in Germany and Austria. The Valais Blackneck goat is raised in the provinces of Verbania and Vercelli within Italy.

It is one of the forty-three autochthonous Italian goat breeds of limited distribution for which a herdbook is kept by the Associazione Nazionale della Pastorizia, the Italian national association of sheep- and goat-breeders.

They are described as similar in colour to the English breed, the Bagot. It is thought that it is descended from the English breed.

At the end of 2013 the total numbers for the breed were 3000–3400 in Switzerland and either 191 or 446 in Italy. In 2012 Austria reported 100–300 head and Germany 429.

What Are The Characteristics Of Valais Blackneck Goat Breed?

The Valais Blackneck goat is a very beautiful medium-large sized breed of goat. The breed is generally known for their distinctive colouring. They are usually black from the nose to behind the shoulder and white from the back of the shoulders to the tail.

The line between the two colors is well defined and impressive. The Valais Blackneck goats have long, wavy hair, and both bucks and does have arched medium length horns. Average height of the bucks is about 85 cm, and 75 cm for the does.

Valais Blackneck goats are hardy animals. Their wool is the best for protection against cold temperature. The goats are active and can tolerate cold temperature. They are agile and quick despite their hair and bulky bodies making them look cumbersome.

They are happy in a medium to large pasture that offers a diverse range of greenery for them to graze on. The Valais Blackneck goat is also used in various fields and woods for vegetation control to ensure that there is not an overgrowth of the bush where they should be open spaces.

The Valais Blackneck is a truly remarkable breed with a calm and friendly nature that makes them easy to maintain and handle. They do not mind interacting with other livestock breeds.

The does are pretty good milk producers. And on average, a doe can produce about 500 kg of milk in a lactation period of 210 days. These goats are good at breeding and producing new kids. The pregnancy of Valais Blackneck may last up to 150 days and then they deliver the newborn.

The breed is also very good for meat production. The carcass of the Valais Blackneck goat is nicely lean and the muscling is moderately thick.

What is the weight of Valais Blackneck Goat?

Bucks weigh anything over 75 kgs, with does averaging over 55 kgs.

References

https://www.roysfarm.com
https://domesticanimalbreeds.com
http://www.sheepadoodle.info
https://www.thatsfarming.com