Boer

The Boer Goat (also known as Africander, Afrikaner, and South African common goat) is an improved indigenous breed with some infusion of European, Angora and Indian goat breeding many years ago. The indigenous populations were probably from the Namaqua Hottentots and from southward migrating Bantu tribes. The name is derived from the Dutch word "boer", meaning farmer, and was probably used to distinguish the native goats from the Angora goats which were imported into South Africa during the 19th century. The present day Boer goat appeared in the early 1900's when ranchers from the Eastern Cape Province began selectively breeding a meat type goat.

The Boer goat is primarily a meat goat with several adaptations to the region in which it was developed. It is a horned breed with lop ears and shows a variety of color patterns. It is raised very effectively in South Africa in combination with cattle due to its browsing ability and limited impact on the grass cover.

Exceptional individuals are capable of average daily gains over 0.44 lb/day (200 g/day) in a feedlot. More standard performance would be 0.3-0.4 lbs/day (150-170 g/day). A kidding rate of 200% is common for this breed, and a weanling rate in excess of 160%. Maturity is reached early, ususally about 6 months for bucks and 10-12 months for does. The Boer goat also has an extended breeding season making it possible to have 3 kiddings every 2 years. The mature Boer goat buck weighs between 110-135 kg (~240-300 lbs) and does between 90 and 100 kg (~200-225 lbs).