Dear Editor,

I surprised my friend last night when I said Minister Pearnel Charles Jr seemed to be on steroids. Mindful of how we interpret things, I hastened to explain. Minister Charles Jr seemed to be doing so many things at the same time, one wonders where he gets the energy.

Many will confirm that a dish of curried goat at a party is likely to be mostly curried bone. We are woefully short of goats because of neglect, inbreeding, and farm theft.

This timely infusion of quality imported goats is not just visionary but reflects detailed research. Of all the breeds available, the breeds chosen are the most suitable for our conditions. Let me explain.

NUBIAN

Due to their Middle-Eastern heritage, these goats can live in very hot climates and have a longer breeding season than other dairy goats. They are considered a dairy or dual-purpose breed. Nubians are known for a high butterfat yield in their milk, on average 5 per cent or more butterfat content, surpassed only by the Boer, which is not likely to be used for milk.

Goat’s milk has less allergenic protein, more digestive protein, and more digestible fats than cow’s milk, which makes it more suitable for infants and toddlers than cow’s milk. It is rich in vitamins and minerals among other advantages.

Most commercially made soaps contain harsh surfactants that can strip your skin of natural moisture and oils, leaving it feeling dry and tight. Goat milk soap is a gentle cleanser that is rich in nutrients. It is a natural exfoliant, improving dry skin. And there are credible claims that it prevents acne.

Goat cheese is a source of healthy fats, protein, and calcium. It is easier to digest than the cheese from cow’s milk. What is not widely known is that some of the fat in goat’s cheese comes from capric acid, a beneficial medium-chain fatty acid with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

BOER

The Boer goat is specifically bred for meat. It is regarded as the world’s premier meat goat. This breed offers opportunities for large- and small-scale farmers who wish to diversify or seek alternative enterprises. The Boer goat is an ideal grazing companion to cattle and sheep, particularly if they are in an environment where they can browse. Goats can significantly assist with pasture management as they have the ability to graze most broadleaf plants that other livestock leave behind.

KIKO

The Kiko is a newer breed. They have adapted well to a wide range of climates and landscapes all over New Zealand, North America, and the Caribbean. I suspect the minister chose them because they are highly parasite-tolerant, disease-resistant, and resilient.

Kikos live at pasture with minimal veterinary care and rarely contact mastitis, foot problems, or respiratory infections. They are efficient foragers on varied pasture, needing plenty of room and good fencing. They rarely need assistance at kidding, bond quickly with their young, and are great mothers. Kids are quick to stand up and nurse, have high survival rates, and gain weight quickly after weaning.

I was honoured to have a lengthy chat with pioneering scientist T P Lecky sometime in the late ’60s when he shared a fascinating story about producing the Jamaican breeds of cattle. I left that meeting thinking that it would be a good thing to do the same with goats.

The goats imported by Minister Charles Jr possess all the genetics needed to start such a project. A dual purpose animal combining our goats with all the traits of these three outstanding breeds — top butterfat, meatiest, most disease-resistant, and hardiest — makes a successful attempt a distinct possibility.

This is likely to be the move that puts Minister Charles Jr in the history books as a visionary minister of agriculture. And I’m not kidding.

Glenn Tucker

glenntucker2011@gmail.com