A foresight on goat research

Goats have been important to food and economic securities of developing regions for countless years, and their contributions to economic returns in developed countries has been rising as well. Though the number of goats is greater in developing than developed regions, a considerable amount of caprine research has been conducted in countries of the latter. Even with differences in experimental conditions among locations conducting goat research, in most instances some value can also be realized at other sites. There is a large number of topics that will necessitate research attention in the upcoming years in order for goats to maintain their key places in some farming systems as well as to perhaps assume greater roles in others. One of the foremost areas is the refining of nutritional requirements and nutrient utilization, inclusive of components such as impacts of grazing conditions and prior nutritional plane. Likewise, study of means to prevent unacceptable levels of internal parasitism as well as effects of infestation on nutrient needs is called for. Moreover, changes such as increasing concerns for animal welfare, land deterioration, and food safety will impact the direction of goat research programs in the foreseeable future. Finally, the International Goat Association has a key role to play in focusing attention to areas in greatest need of scrutiny and ensuring that sound science is the basis for future developments of the goat industry. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.