HISTORY
The Kalahari Red goat was bred of native indigenous goats found in Namibia, as well as the eastern and northern capes of South Africa and crossed with red coloured Boer does selected by breeders. Farmers from all over South Africa were harvesting these native goats and crossing them and the Kalahari Red breed was born. The Kalahari Red was recognised and proven as a separate goat breed in 1998 and soon after the formation of the Kalahari Red Club on the 5th July 1999 in South Africa was achieved.
The Kalahari Red goat is a breed of goat with its own DNA markers as proven and tested in 2004 by Dr Marida Roets at the Agricultural Research Council in South Africa. Farmers in South Africa were concerned about the breed stemming from the Boer goat, but the results of the testing showed that the difference between the Kalahari Reds and the Boer was greater than between the Boer goat and the Savannah goat. The name Kalahari Red was given to the breed as the name signifies their ancestry in South Africa and Namibia and the reference to the red sands of the Kalahari desert.
On the 9th July 1999, several farmers imported into Australia embryos from South African Kalahari Red breeders and implanted them into recip does here in Australia.
Bloodlines were expanded around the country and as we have today the growing national herd.
We now have stud and commercial farmers breeding up the herd of Kalahari Red goats in Australia and keeping the bloodlines strictly pure from fullblood bucks and does all traced back by their bloodlines from South Africa.
KRGSA will be implementing strategies to expand and encourage more Kalahari Red producers to build numbers and strengthen the quality of the breed as we maintain the surging demand for export and from within Australia.
The genetic testing of the Kalahari Red goat compiled in South Africa is available here for further reading.
BREED INFORMATION
The Kalahari Red goat is very popular amongst commercial farmers producing heavy, weight gaining kids and the ability to thrive and survive in Australia's harsh outback conditions.
The Kalahari Red goat was bred from a need to have a hardy and resilient meat goat with the ability to breed all year round whilst having incredible mothering skills and great camouflaging qualities. Their love of scrub and brush higher off the ground also makes them more resilient to parasites.
Kalahari Red goats pigmentation of 100% reduces the risks associated with UV exposure as opposed to unpigmented or pink skin. It is the long floppy ears and wide horns that assist in temperature regulation i.e.blood flow to extremities can assist with heat loss in hot climates. Earthly colouring particularly for the young provides an additional benefit assisting the young to blend in with a natural environment making them more difficult for predators to spot. Does will either hide their kids in trees or scrub or will have no hesitation confronting predators head on.
Kalahari Red goats are a naturally twinning breed that has not been genetically modified to produce multiple offspring.
BREED STANDARDS
Following are the breed standards for Kalahari Red goats as set out by the Kalahari Red Club
in South Africa.
The aim of breeding standards is to improve the
quality of the Kalahari Red goat breed and
increase its economic value.
HEAD CONFORMATION
NECK AND FOREQUARTERS
NECK AND FOREQUARTERS
A strong head with large soft brown eyes and slightly splayed horns sloping backwards. A strong slightly curved roman nose, wide nostrils and a strong well formed mouth with well fitted jaws. Up to 6 teeth must show a perfect bite,8 teeth old may show slight protrusion. Permanent teeth must cut in the correct anatomical place. The forehead must be prominently curved linking up with the curve of nose and horns. Horns should be strong of moderate length and placed moderately apart with a gradual backward curve. Horns have to be as round, smooth and solid as possible. Ears are to broad, smooth and of medium length hanging downwards from the head and should lie symmetrical with the top of the nose. Ears that are too short are undesirable.
Cull defects: over or undershot jaw, blue eyes, horns that lie to close to the head and the tips of the horns must not press against the neck, ears folded lengthwise.
NECK AND FOREQUARTERS
NECK AND FOREQUARTERS
NECK AND FOREQUARTERS
A neck of moderate length in proportion to the length of the body, fully well fleshed, well joined to the forequarter is essential. The breastbone should be broad with a deep, broad brisket. The shoulders should be fleshy, in proportion to the body and be well fitted to the withers (not sharp). The front legs should be of medium length and in proportion to the depth of the body. The legs should be strong and well placed with strong pastern joints and well formed hoofs.
Cull defects: too long or thin neck, too short neck and shoulders too loose.
BARREL
NECK AND FOREQUARTERS
HINDQUARTERS
The ideal is a long, deep and broad barrel. The ribs must be well sprung and fleshed, and the loins as well filled as possible. The goat should have a broad, fairly straight back and must not be pinched behind the shoulders.
Cull defects: Back too concave, too slab sided, too cylindrical or pinched behind the shoulder.
HINDQUARTERS
SKIN & COVERING
HINDQUARTERS
The Kalahari Red should have a broad and long rump, not sloping too much, well fleshed buttocks which are not too flat and have fully fleshed thighs. The tail must be straight were it grows out of the dock and then may swing to either side.
Cull defects: A rump that hangs too much or is too short. A long shank or flat buttocks.
LEGS
SKIN & COVERING
SKIN & COVERING
Emphasis should be placed on the legs which should be strong and well placed. Strong legs imply hardiness and a strong constitution which is absolutely essential characteristics of the Kalahari Red goat.
Cull defects: Buck - knees, pigeon toed, splay footed, post legged or sickle hocked. Legs too thin, weak pasterns and hoofs pointing outwards or inwards.
SKIN & COVERING
SKIN & COVERING
SKIN & COVERING
Loose supple skin with sufficient chest and neck skin folds, especially in the case of bucks, is essential. Eyelids and hairless parts must be pigmented. The hairless skin under the tail should have 75% pigmentation for stud purposes with 100% the ideal. Short, glossy hair is desirable. Limited amount of fur will be tolerated during the winter months.
Cull defects: Covering too long, course or furry.
SEXUAL ORGANS
SEXUAL ORGANS
SEXUAL ORGANS
Does: Well formed udder firmly attached with 2 well defined teats on either side. The ideal is 1 teat each side.2 teats each side or 2 & 1 teats combined.
Bucks: Two relatively large, well formed, healthy and equal sized testes in one scrotum.A scrotum with a split no larger than 5cm is permissible. The scrotum must be at least 25cm in circumference.
Cull defects: Bunched, calabash or split teats. Testes too small, scrotum with larger than 5cm split or a twisted scrotum.
GOAT SIZE
SEXUAL ORGANS
SEXUAL ORGANS
The ideal is a average sized heavy goat for maximum meat production. A desirable ratio between length of leg and depth of body should be achieved at all ages. Kids should be longer in the leg.
Bucks should weigh a minimum of 60kgs at 12 months of age and 100kgs at 3yrs of age. Does a minimum of 40kgs at 12 months of age and mature does a minimum of 70kgs at
3 years of age.
Cull defects: Goats too small
COLOURING
SEXUAL ORGANS
COLOURING
The ideal is a red or black goat with uniform colour shadings that range from light red ,dark red and also black .
Full Blood KR goats should have
no white markings.