Alpine goats thrives in Kenya’s highlands as demand for goat milk rises

KENYA – In Kenya’s Central and Eastern highlands, the Alpine goat breed is thriving, offering a lucrative option for dairy farmers due to its adaptability and high milk production. 

Originally developed in Britain through crossbreeding local goats with those from Switzerland’s Alps in 1903, the Alpine breed has become a key player in the country’s dairy goat farming.

The rising demand for goat milk, driven by its nutritional benefits, has led to a surge in dairy goat farming across East Africa. 

Among the many breeds, the Alpine, Saanen, and Toggenburg goats are the most significant in the region. 

The choice of breed often depends on the local climate, and the Alpine goat is particularly well-suited to the high-altitude regions of Nyeri and Meru, which receive annual rainfall of 701.0 mm to 1800.0 mm and have average temperatures ranging between 19.5˚C and 24.5˚C.

According to the Kenya Livestock Producers Association (KLPA), Alpine goats are medium to large, with varied coat colors that include shades of grey, brown, black, and redbuff, often with combinations of these. 

Both males and females may have a pronounced mane, and the breed’s adaptability and excellent foraging skills make it highly desirable for farmers concerned about production costs. 

Alpines are hardy, with good jumping abilities, making them excellent for various farming conditions.

The breed’s reproductive and milk production patterns are well-documented. Although Alpine goats are often zero-grazed, their kidding season depends largely on pasture conditions. 

Farmers are advised to mate does when they have reached at least two-thirds of their final weight to avoid early pregnancies, which can result in health issues, lower milk production, and even the death of the kid. 

Mating is recommended between 10 to 12 months, although heat may occur as early as 5 months.

The kidding process lasts five months, and a good Alpine goat can produce up to 3.5 kg of milk per day during the first two months, with the milk yield peaking around 35 days after kidding. 

The total lactation period can last between three to ten months, depending on feeding, care, and subsequent mating success. 

Research conducted in 2014 in Central Kenya showed that goats kidding between November and December produced the highest milk yields, followed by those kidding between January and March.

The Alpine goat’s average milk production is between 2.5 to 4 liters per day, depending on the management level. Farmers who allow kids to suckle while also milking the does report higher milk yields than those who only milk their goats.

Alpines are known to thrive even under low-input farming conditions, making them ideal for farmers in the highlands. 

Female Alpines weigh about 60 kg, reach a height of 70-76 cm, and produce an average of 922.5 kg of milk per lactation, with a butterfat content of 3.6%. Bucks, on the other hand, weigh between 65 to 80 kg and can reach heights of 80-90 cm at maturity.

This breed’s adaptability to the local environment, combined with its strong milk production, makes Alpine goats a valuable asset to farmers in Kenya’s highlands, contributing to the growing popularity of dairy goat farming in the region.

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