The development of a standard for goat meat cuts and value-added products from goat meat is the objective of a new project spearheaded by Alaminos Goat Farm (AGF) of Laguna and the Animal Products Development Center (APDC) of the Bureau of Animal Industry.

Rene Almeda, who operates AGF with sons Art and Toti, said that APDC is providing its facilities, manpower and expertise in slaughtering in its modern facilities in Marulas, Valenzuela City to come up with a standard for goat meat cuts. APDC will also develop smoked sausages from goat’s meat.

Research work would be undertaken to gather data in slaughtering Boer goats weighing 30 to 50 kilos which will be provided by the Alaminos Goat Farm. Almeda said that the dress weight percentage and the bone-to-meat ratio of the Boer goats would be recorded, and the results will be compared with the typical native goats slaughtered below 20 kilos.

Almeda said that Alaminos Goat Farm would like to show with the results of this project that the Boer breed could play a vital role in coming up with goat meat standards. He adds that the introduction of Boer bucks in upgrading the local herd to produce commercial goats for slaughter with a minimum weight of 30 kilos would go a long way for goat raisers to achieve the minimum standard size for slaughter.

Almeda adds that in Australia, Boer bucks were used to breed their feral goats to produce goat meat for export. Goat meat is considered as the red meat with lowest cholesterol content.
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PINOY AQUATICS FAIR. The 2nd Pinoy Aquatics Fair will be held at the Quezon Memorial Circle on Sept. 18 to 20 under the auspices of AANI in cooperation with DOST-PCAMRD, Fisheries Industry Group, Quezon City Government, Quezon Memorial Circle Administration, REEF Philippines
and others.
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GARDENING FOR BETTER ENVIRONMENT. The Cactus and Succulents Society of the Philippines will hold a pre-Christmas Garden Show & Bazaar at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City from November 20 to 30. Among those participating are Philippine Horticultural Society 1976, Fern and Nature Society, Philippine Orchid Society, Kapisanan ng mga Pinoy sa Sining ng Bonsai, and others.