Beetal Goats in India: Characteristics, Production Statistics, and Economic Benefits

 Origin and History of Beetal Goat

The Beetal goat is a prominent dairy breed native to the northwestern arid and semi-arid regions, primarily bred for milk production in the northwestern parts of Pakistan and India, especially in the Punjab province. The origin of the Beetal goat traces back to the northwestern arid region of Pakistan, and it is one of the 39 indigenous breeds registered by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) in India, headquartered in Karnal, Haryana.

The Beetal goat is an important indigenous breed raised for dual purposes: high milk production and meat production. This breed is renowned for its superior milk yield and has been widely included in breed improvement programs such as cross-breeding and selective breeding.

Studies have been conducted on the specific characteristics of the interferon-alpha (IFN-α) gene in the Beetal goat. This gene plays a crucial role in the innate immune response and possesses biological and antiviral activity.

In terms of size, the Beetal goat is smaller than the Jamunapari goat; however, it is more prolific and better suited to various adverse environmental conditions, including stall-feeding. Stall-feeding refers to confining the goat in a pen where it is fed fodder or grain for meat production purposes. Its diet mainly consists of green grass, grains, silage, and hay.

Beetal goats are known for their large body size and their Roman or parrot-like nose, similar to that of the Jamunapari goat and Chokla sheep. Their skin colors vary, including black, black-brown, brown, and brown with spots. An adult female Beetal goat can produce approximately 4 liters of milk per day, reflecting its productive capacity.

In recent years, the Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG) has purchased two 3-4 year-old Beetal goats, eight young female Beetal goats, and seven Beetal does from farmers in Batala and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab. CIRG aims to use these Beetal goats for livestock unit construction and to provide good-breeding male Beetal goats to farmers.

Distribution of Beetal Goat

The birthplace of the Beetal goat is the northwestern arid region, particularly in the Punjab state of India, bordering Pakistan. This breed is predominantly found in the Batala, Firozpur, and Gurdaspur districts of the Punjab state in Pakistan and India. Purebred Beetal goats are primarily seen in the Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Firozpur districts of Punjab.

Beetal goats are also found in areas of Punjab near the India-Pakistan border. It is believed that the name Beetal is derived from the Batala subdivision/tehsil in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab, where purebred animals can still be found. Additionally, this breed is present in the northwestern states of India, such as Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Haryana.

Synonyms of Beetal Goat

The name “Beetal” is derived from its birthplace, Batala tehsil, located in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab. Additionally, due to its prevalence in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and Firozpur districts, it is also referred to as the Amritsari goat.

Beetal goats are found in almost all provinces of Pakistan, with their population being higher than that in India. In Pakistan, they are also known as Lahori goats.

Main Uses of Beetal Goat

The Beetal goat is a local breed in Pakistan that is raised in both India and Pakistan for dual purposes—milk and meat production. Renowned for its high milk yield, the Beetal goat produces between 1 to 3 kilograms of milk daily. Additionally, it is utilized for meat and leather production.

1. Milk Production
   The primary purpose of raising Beetal goats is for milk production, as they provide substantial quantities of milk. Particularly in Punjab, members of the landless Sansi tribal community improve their economic status and meet their needs by raising Beetal goats or other breeds.

2. Meat Production
   Beetal goats are also bred for meat production. Furthermore, they play a significant role in leather production. The hides obtained from Indian goats are renowned for their large size and high quality without defects. From the goat skins produced in tropical regions, excellent leathers such as velour, suede, and shammy are made for shoes and women’s gloves.

Health Risks

Workers in the wool and leather industry involving sheep and goats face a major risk of anthrax. This disease spreads through contact with wool or leather infected by the Bacillus anthracis bacteria, hence it is referred to as “Wool Sorter’s Disease.” Anthrax is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can transmit from animals to humans.

Characteristics of Beetal Goat

Body:
The Beetal goat has a large and heavy body. Their common color is black, but some goats may have white spots. In exceptional cases, some goats may be brown.

Skin:
Their skin is predominantly grayish, and the hair is of medium length and straight.

Ears:
Beetal goats have long, wide, and drooping ears. Their eyes are typically white. The conformation of the Beetal goat resembles that of the Malabari goat from Kerala and the Jamunapari goat from Uttar Pradesh. They have a prominent forehead, and their nose has a Roman structure.

Nose:
Their noses are Roman in shape, similar to that of the Jamunapari goat and Chokla sheep, and are colloquially referred to as parrot-like noses in rural language.

Head:
The lips, eyes, hooves, and tails of these goats are black.

Horns:
Beetal goats generally have horns. According to reports, 85% of adult males (bucks) and 93% of adult females (does) have horns. These horns are usually brown or grayish. Approximately 65% of adult males and 85% of adult females have horns that curve backward.

Galthna:
Some Beetal goats exhibit galthna, or wattle, under their mouths, which is known by that name in rural areas.

Teats:
The teats of Beetal goats are funnel-shaped, and the tips of the teats are often pointed or rounded. In 68% of females, the subcutaneous abdominal vein indicative of milk production is of medium size, while in 21% it is small. The subcutaneous abdominal vein, often referred to as the “milk vein,” is significant as it measures the milk production capacity in animals.

Size of Beetal Goat

Male (Beetal Buck):

• Height: 91.60 cm
• Body Length: 85 cm
• Heart Girth: 86 cm
• Weight: 50 kg
• Kid Birth Weight: 2.80 kg

Female (Beetal Doe):

• Height: 77.13 cm
• Body Length: 70.42 cm
• Heart Girth: 73.7 cm
• Weight: 34 kg
• Kid Birth Weight: 2.80 kg

Population of Beetal Goats in India

The population of goats in India increased from 47.2 million in 1951-52 to 124.3 million in 2003, representing 20% of the global livestock population. According to the 17th Livestock Census (2003), the total number of goats in India was 124.3 million, with Punjab having 2.7 million goats. However, there has been a continuous decline in goat population in Punjab, which has affected the local Beetal breed in the region.

According to the 1972 Livestock Census, the distribution of Beetal goats in Punjab’s Batala, Firozpur, and Gurdaspur districts was recorded at 0.159 million. This number dropped to 71,500 in the 1977 census. A survey conducted by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) in Karnal revealed a decrease in both the number of goat herds and the number of goats per herd.

In the breeding area for Beetal goats, there were a total of 20,772 goats, with 57% located in Gurdaspur district, and the remaining in Amritsar and Firozpur districts. The distribution of kids, young males (bucklings), young females (goatlings), and adult goats was 22%, 21%, and 56%, respectively.

Recent Livestock Census

Currently, the 21st Livestock Census is being conducted in 2024, running from September to December. It will take some time for the latest data to be released. According to the previous 20th Livestock Census (2019), the total livestock population in India was 535.78 million, reflecting a 4.6% increase compared to 2012.

• The total population of cattle, buffalo, mithun, and yak was 302.79 million, which is 1% higher than previous figures.
• The total number of cattle was 192.49 million, reflecting an increase of 0.8%.
• The total sheep population was 74.26 million, showing a 14.1% increase.
• The total goat population reached 148.88 million, which is a 10.1% increase compared to the previous census.

Milk Production of Beetal Goat

According to the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, a Beetal goat produces between 1 to 3 kilograms of milk per day. In India, the average milk production of a Beetal goat is approximately 1.82 ± 0.79 liters.

• Milk Yield Per Lactation: 157 to 288 kg
  (As per the National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, Beetal goats produce around 157 kg of milk over a lactation period of 186 days.)
• Average Daily Milk Production: 1 to 3 liters
• Lactation Length: 161 days

Meat Production of Beetal Goat

Males (Beetal Buck) Meat Production:

• Birth Weight: 2.80 kg
• Weight at Weaning: 9.26 kg
• Weight at 6 Months: 12.18 kg
• Weight at 9 Months: 15.42 kg
• Weight at 12 Months: 21.83 kg

Females (Beetal Doe) Meat Production:

• Birth Weight: 2.80 kg
• Weight at Weaning: 9.26 kg
• Weight at 6 Months: 12.18 kg
• Weight at 9 Months: 15.42 kg
• Weight at 12 Months: 21.83 kg